A message for parents and carers, children and young people
We know there is a lot of information and discussion about special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reform online and in the media. We understand this can feel uncertain.
We want to be clear about what SEND reform means locally in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP), and what it does and does not mean for your child.
At its heart, SEND reform is about something simple but important: helping children and young people feel that they belong, that they are listened to, and that they can thrive.
The five most important things to know
1 Families are at the heart of this work.
Parents, carers, children and young people are helping build how SEND reform is delivered locally in BCP. This is called co-production and means the real experts – families and children – have helped develop the plan.
2 Individual children’s needs will still be met
The purpose of reform is to help us improve support for children and young people, not reduce it. Our focus will always be on making sure individual needs continue to be met and that we build a better system for families in BCP.
3 Nothing is changing right now.
Change will take place over a number of years. Any national changes will happen gradually with most not felt till 2030. Families will be informed clearly and early if anything changes in the future.
4 EHCPs will remain for those who need them.
EHCPs will remain legal documents for children and young people with the most complex needs. New Individual Support Plans (ISPs) are proposed for some children with lower‑level needs. There will be reassessments at key transition points (such as moving from primary to secondary school) starting from September 2029 to determine whether a child should have an EHCPEHCPA legal document that describes a child or young person's special educational, health and social care needs. It explains the extra help that will be given to meet those needs and how that help will support the child or young person to achieve what they want to in their life. or an ISP.
5 Schools will be more inclusive.
Mainstream settings will be supported through approaches such as an “Experts at Hand” offer, which gives schools direct access to specialist advice from practitioners like speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and educational psychologists. Specialists will work more closely with school staff to provide timely advice and support—helping meet children’s needs earlier and ensuring the right support is in place at the right time.