Plans to transform support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) have been approved by the government, paving the way for major reforms.
The Department for Education and Department of Health and Social Care has formally approved the Isle of Wight’s Local SEND Reform Plan, recognising the partnership working between the Isle of Wight Council, local health services, education providers and families.
£14.4m grant to ease funding pressures
As a result, the Island will receive an indicative High Needs Stability Grant allocation of £14,460,532 to help address historic SEND-related funding pressures and support improvements for children and families.
The government said the plan provides a foundation for the Island to move into the delivery phase of reforms aimed at improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
What the three-year plan aims to achieve
The three-year plan sets out a vision for a more inclusive, preventative and needs-led SEND system.
It aims to improve attendance, increase support within mainstream schools, reduce exclusions and ensure children and families receive help earlier.
Praise from government assessors
Government assessors praised the Isle of Wight’s clear vision, strong links between partners and a comprehensive programme of work, including investment in mainstream inclusion, workforce development and expanded specialist provision.
Support closer to home
Among the key initiatives is the development of an “Experts at Hand” model and a new Ordinarily Available Provision framework designed to ensure children receive support at the earliest opportunity and as close to home as possible.
Assessors also highlighted the strength of the council’s capital strategy, recognising plans to expand inclusion bases and specialist provision through targeted investment that will help meet future demand and support more children closer to home.
IWC: The real focus now is delivery
Beth Dyer, the council’s service director for education, said,
“We welcome the government’s approval of our Local SEND Reform Plan and the confidence it has shown in the direction of travel we have set out for the Island.
“The plan reflects months of collaborative work involving colleagues across education, health and social care, and I would like to thank everyone who contributed to its development, particularly the Isle of Wight SEND Parent Carer Forum, whose insight and challenge helped shape our approach.
“The assessment recognised many of the strengths within the plan, including our commitment to early support, mainstream inclusion, workforce development and investment in specialist provision.
“Approval of the plan is an important step, but the real focus now is delivery. By continuing to work together with families, schools, settings, health partners and the wider community, we can ensure these reforms lead to better outcomes for children and young people with SEND.”
Garratt: The beginning of the next stage
Councillor Andrew Garratt, vice-chair of the children’s services, education and skills committee, added,
“The approval of this plan is an important milestone, but it is also the beginning of the next stage of work.
“We now need to ensure the commitments within the plan are translated into real improvements for children, young people and families.
“With all partners continuing to work together, we will be able to create a more inclusive system that provides support earlier, strengthens mainstream provision and helps more children thrive within their local communities.
“I look forward to seeing this shared ambition delivered over the coming years.”
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
