Overview
Following the publication of the White Paper Every Child Achieving and Thriving in February 2026, Local Authorities were required to write a plan of how they will implement the government’s proposed reforms to the schools and SEND systems in England.
Our proposed Local SEND Reform Plan was submitted to the Department for Education (DfE) for the 19 June 2026 deadline. It outlines the 3-year strategic roadmap (2026 to 2029) on how support is proposed to be provided to children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
It has been developed in partnership with the London Borough of Hackney and NHS North East London Integrated Care Board. The plan was prepared in line with the national Framework set by the government.
This is the plan we submitted to the Department for Education by the national deadline of 19 June 2026. The plan is due to go to our own Cabinet in September 2026 for information and will undergo a multi-stage DfE review process until later that same month. Therefore, the plan may be amended further when we receive feedback from the DfE.
What happens next?
The plan was submitted to the DfE in June 2026. The DfE and NHS England will assess the plan in July/August 2026, with their final verdict delivered in September 2026. In meantime, we are laying the foundations to begin delivering the Plan. There will be opportunities to engage in the ongoing planning and we will report regularly and transparently on progress.
If the DfE does not approve the plan in its current format, we will work with DfE advisors to revise and improve our Local Plan. We will need to secure approval by late Autumn 2026 to receive our funding in Spring 2027.