Work to improve support for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) across Kirklees has taken a vital step forward

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SEND

A plan has been approved which will see changes to the local SEND system and is designed to enhance life outcomes for vulnerable children and families.

Earlier this year, we joined Local Area SEND Partnerships across the country in submitting a plan to central government. This followed proposed national SEND and education reforms, with each partnership setting out how it would deliver these changes locally.

Our priorities for children and families

Our plan for Kirklees has now been approved by central government. Key priorities include providing earlier support to families before needs escalate, enabling more children and young people to have their needs met locally, strengthening inclusion across education, health and care services, and improving the overall SEND experience for children, young people and their families.

Working in partnership to deliver change

We are leading this work in partnership with NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board.

Councillor Rob Butler, Kirklees Council Cabinet member for Education and SEND, said:

“Gaining national approval of our plan is a key milestone.

“We know the importance of developing SEND provision, which gives vital support to thousands of families across the district.

“I particularly want to thank families for their input to the plan – it was essential to us that their views shaped our local response to the national proposals.

“The Kirklees SEND Partnership can now move ahead with delivering change for the long-term benefit of local families.

“We have a strong focus on improvement, inclusion, providing better experiences and supporting more children to be educated in a mainstream school.

“We want to have the best possible impact by ensuring all children and families in Kirklees get the right support at the best time.”

 

Julie Clennel, Executive Director of Nursing, NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, said:

“As an ICB, we continue to work closely with all Local Authorities across West Yorkshire to ensure Local SEND Reform Plans achieve better outcomes and experiences, increased confidence in the local offer and a stronger, more sustainable SEND systems.

“Our shared progress reflects strong partnership working and is an important step forward to ensure more children and young people receive the right support earlier and closer to home wherever possible.

“Only by working together can we deliver such reforms and improvements to SEND services for our children, young people and their families. It is vital that every child, young person and family should have the best possible support and experience.”

What happens next? 

The plan will now be presented to the Children’s Scrutiny Committee in November, before being published on our website later this year.

For more information about SEND services and support, visit the Kirklees SEND Local Offer website.