The Children and Young People Policy Development Committee met on Tuesday, 25 November 2025, to discuss Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in mainstream education. Key discussions included the challenges of providing adequate support within mainstream schools, the impact of increased diagnoses, and the financial pressures on the SEND system. The committee also reviewed the progress of the SEND inspection action plan and discussed future work programmes.

SEND in Mainstream Education

The committee received a presentation on SEND in mainstream education, focusing on ordinarily available provision (OAP) – the support and adaptations expected in mainstream settings for children with additional needs. This provision, guided by the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice, aims to ensure that the majority of children, even those with additional needs, are supported within their local mainstream school.

The presentation highlighted the significant rise in requests for Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs), attributed to an increase in diagnosed conditions such as autism and ADHD, alongside growing parental expectations. Councillors were shown data indicating a rise in both SEND support and EHCP numbers across Redbridge between 2017 and 2025, mirroring national trends. A significant concern raised was the national deficit of £6 billion in the high-needs block funding, with Redbridge having a cumulative deficit of £3.9 million. This financial strain is exacerbated by the increasing cost of supporting SEND needs, which has outpaced government funding increases.

The discussion also delved into the graduated approach of assess, plan, do, review, which is crucial for identifying and supporting children with additional needs. It was noted that schools receive delegated funding, including an age-weighted pupil unit and a notional £6,000, which should be utilised before seeking additional local authority funding.

Data presented illustrated the primary needs of children in mainstream settings, with a notable rise in Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs across both primary and secondary school age groups. This trend is also observed nationally and encompasses a broad spectrum of needs, from anxiety to challenging behaviour.

The committee was informed about the ongoing work to refresh local guidance on SEND provision, with a commitment to co-producing this with stakeholders, including children, young people, and their families. The aim is to create parent-friendly guidance that clearly outlines expectations for ordinarily available provision in Redbridge schools.

SEND Inspection and Action Plan

An update was provided on the response to the recent SEND inspection. The priority action plan has been drafted and approved by the Department for Education (DfE). An easy-read version of the plan is available, and translations into several community languages are underway. An independently chaired SEND implementation board has been established to monitor progress and hold partners accountable. The council has committed £1.7 million over three years, with an expected £0.5 million from health partners, and the DfE has awarded a £200,000 grant. The action plan has been themed into seven manageable areas, each led by a senior officer and a senior health representative. A stock take meeting with the DFE is scheduled for January, and a further report will go to cabinet before March to ensure continued member oversight. A monitoring inspection is expected within 18 months, followed by a full inspection within three years.

Concerns Regarding EHCP Timeliness and School Payments

Councillor Pushpita Gupta raised a concern about a child who had been waiting over two years for an EHCP assessment, with the child now transitioning to secondary school without the necessary support being formally identified. Officers expressed shock at the delay, stating that the standard timeline for issuing an EHCP is 20 weeks. They committed to investigating the specific case if details were provided.

Councillor Joel Anthony Herga inquired about delayed payments to primary schools for SEN or EHP funding. Councillor Martin Sachs confirmed that a new high-needs accountant, Sadiq Yakub Kothia, has been appointed and is systematically working through a backlog of payments. He assured the committee that Mr. Kothia is ensuring schools receive the payments they need and is working to prevent future delays.

Homeschooling and Support Networks

Councillor Sadiq Yakub Kothia raised concerns about children potentially being missed who require SEND support but whose parents may not be aware or seeking help, particularly in the context of increased homeschooling. It was acknowledged that while parents have the right to home-educate, the local authority has a responsibility to ensure children are receiving an adequate education. While Redbridge does not have a highly developed network for home-educating families comparable to Northamptonshire, the council's advisor does engage with and support such families where possible. The increasing trend of homeschooling due to perceived inadequacies in school provision was also noted, with an encouragement for parents to maintain dialogue with schools.

School Place Planning and Future Work Programme

Councillor Holmes suggested incorporating an update on school place planning into the committee's work programme, noting that it is a significant concern for parents. This will be considered for the next meeting on 15 January 2026, which will also focus on SEND out of mainstream settings and include a site visit to the former Park School for Girls site, where a new special school is being developed. A further meeting on 16 March 2026 is scheduled to approve the final report.

The committee also discussed the importance of school-to-school support networks in sharing good practice and alleviating pressure on smaller departments. It was emphasised that investing in teaching staff and fostering collaboration are key to innovation and effective delivery of inclusive practice.

The meeting concluded with the confirmation of the next meeting date as 15 January 2026.