Issue details

Proposed decision:

·       Adopt the SEND Strategy 2025-2028 on behalf of Kent County Council.

·       Delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Children, Young People and Education in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills to refresh and/or make non-substantial revisions to the Strategy as appropriate during the lifetime of the strategy.

·       Delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Children, Young People and Education to take relevant actions, including but not limited to finalising the terms of, and entering into required contract or other legal agreements, as necessary to implement the decision.

Background

The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) strategy reflects our comprehensive plan to enhance the provision of services for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. 

If adopted, it will replace the SEND Strategy 2021-24.

The strategy is the result of extensive engagement with stakeholders, including parents, carers, educators, health and social care professionals, and young people themselves.  A formal public consultation took place during the autumn, closing on the 11^th November  2024.

How the proposal will support Framing Kent’s Future 2022-26:

The proposal will support:

Priority 1: Levelling Up

·       To ensure that all communities in Kent have access to opportunities and resources that enable them to thrive.

·       To improve the health and well-being of all residents in Kent.

·       To maintain KCC’s strategic role in supporting schools in Kent to deliver accessible, high quality education provision for all families.

Priority 4: New Models of Care and Support

·       Respond to national policy changes SEND provision, work with SEND families to rapidly improve the service provided to SEND children and work with mainstream schools so more can accept and meet the needs of children with SEND, increasing choice and proximity of school places.

How the proposal will support Securing Kent’s Future 2022-26:

The proposal will support:

Objective 2: Delivering savings from identified opportunity areas to set a sustainable 2024/25 budget and MTFP.

·       The strategy promotes inclusive practices in education and community services, ensuring that children and young people with SEND have the same opportunities as their peers. This fosters a culture of acceptance and equality, crucial for social cohesion.  It will support the CYPE placement strategy and will reduce the need for pupils to travel distances to access school places thus reducing the impact on the Home to School transport budget.

·       The strategy includes initiatives to support young people with SEND in their transition to adulthood, including further education, vocational training, and employment opportunities. This helps to build a skilled and diverse workforce, essential for economic resilience.