Kirklees special educational needs and disabilities reform plan gets government green light
Work to improve support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) across Kirklees has taken a big step forward.
Earlier this year, all Local Area SEND Partnerships around the country had to submit a plan to central government. This was in response to proposed SEND and education reforms at a national level, with the plans outlining how each area would deliver change on a local basis.
Government has now given Kirklees’ plan the green light. Its priorities include giving families earlier help before their needs become more serious; enabling more children’s needs to be met locally; strengthening inclusion across education, health and care; and improving the overall SEND experience for children, young people and families.
SEND work is jointly led by Kirklees Council and NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board.
Coun 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 at the 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.”
The plan will now be presented to the children’s scrutiny committee in November, before being published on the council website later this year.
For more information about SEND services and support, visit the Kirklees SEND Local Offer website at www.kirkleeslocaloffer.org.uk