Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, working with NHS Dorset and other local partners, submitted its Local SEND Reform Plan to the Department for Education in June 2026.

The plan sets out how we want to improve support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) over the next three years. This includes strengthening support in mainstream schools and settings, improving families’ experiences and confidence in local services, and making sure support is sustainable for the future.

The plan has been shaped with children, young people, parents, carers and professionals, and builds on what we know is working well and where we need to improve.

This includes developing our Inclusion Support Partnership (our Experts at Hand model), which will bring education, health and other professionals together to provide earlier, more joined-up support for children, young people, families and schools.

The plan also responds to the growing number of children and young people who need additional support, including those with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), while strengthening the way local organisations work together to meet their needs.

We’ll keep this page updated as our work progresses and when we have further information about the SEND Reform Plan.