Young people, parents, carers, health and education partners across Bath and North East Somerset have helped shape a new plan that aims to improve support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), ensuring their voices and experiences are at the heart of future services.
The Local SEND Reform Plan, developed by a partnership convened by Bath & North East Somerset Council, sets out how support will continue to improve so every child and young person can achieve, belong and thrive. The plan which is submitted to the Department for Education as part of the Government’s national improvement programme, will be considered by the council’s Cabinet on 2 July.
The plan responds to growing demand, with around 18.8% of pupils in local schools identified as needing SEND support in 2025 – slightly above the national average. It focuses on strengthening early identification and intervention, building inclusive practice in every school, improving access to specialist support and places, and making the system easier and more consistent for families to navigate.
It builds on work already underway through Our Plan for SEND, published in 2025, including expanding special school provision, improving inclusion in mainstream education and increasing the quality and efficiency of services. Recent milestones include proposals for a new 120-place special free school at the Culverhay site in Bath and the start of work on a new SEND resource base at Mulberry Park Primary School.
The reform plan has been developed in partnership with children, young people, families, education settings, health services and voluntary organisations through the Local Area Inclusion Partnership Board. Parents and carers have contributed through surveys, community events, focus groups and ongoing work with the Parent Carer Forum and Sendias BathNES, helping define what good support looks like in practice.
Councillor Paul May, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “Families and carers have been central to shaping this plan, sharing their experiences and helping us understand where we need to do better. We are determined to build a system that works for every child and young person, with the right support at the right time.
“This plan sets out how we will strengthen inclusion, improve access to specialist help and make services easier to navigate.
By continuing to work closely with our partners and our communities, we can make sure more children and young people with SEND feel understood, supported and able to thrive.”
From early years through to further education and into adulthood, the plan sets out a shared ambition for a more inclusive system where children and young people feel part of their local community and are supported to reach their full potential.
You can watch the cabinet meeting on our Youtube channel.
