Dorset Council, working in partnership with Mountjoy School, has won a national award recognising its work to strengthen inclusive mainstream education for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The Dorset Council SEND team, in partnership with Gill Howard, Headteacher at Mountjoy School, has been named a winner of the Partnership for Inclusion Award at the What Works in SEND Awards 2026, organised by the Council for Disabled Children (CDC).
The award recognises strong collaboration between local authorities and schools to embed inclusive practice and improve outcomes for disabled children and young people and those with special educational needs.
Winners were announced at an awards ceremony held last week at The Great Hall, University of Birmingham, which brought together organisations from across the country to celebrate best practice in SEND services.
This national recognition highlights the powerful work taking place across Dorset to support children and young people with SEND to successfully move from specialist provision into mainstream settings, where they can learn, belong and thrive within their local communities.
Strong partnerships driving inclusive education
The Partnership for Inclusion Award celebrates effective joint working between councils, schools and families. Dorset Council and Mountjoy School were recognised for their shared commitment to ensuring more children with SEND are able to thrive in mainstream education when this is the right option for them.
Through a close and practical partnership with schools and the Dorset Parent Carer Council, Dorset Council has strengthened inclusive practice by focusing on shared learning, consistent decision‑making and early planning.
Central to this work is the “Moving On” approach, introduced in summer 2025. The approach sets out shared principles and a clear five‑step pathway to support children to move from specialist provision into mainstream settings and to thrive once there. It is underpinned by the council’s “Valuing SEND” approach and tool, which supports reflective conversations about a child’s strengths, needs, readiness and confidence.
Early case examples show improved trust between families and professionals, clearer planning, and smoother transitions into mainstream education.
Cllr Clare Sutton, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills at Dorset Council, said:
“Huge congratulations to Gill Howard and the team at Mountjoy School for their leadership of the Moving On approach in Dorset and the inclusive practice they have championed alongside the council’s SEND team.
“This award reflects the strength of our partnership with schools and families, and our shared belief that inclusive mainstream education can be a positive and successful option for many children with SEND.
“By working together, planning early and focusing on what each child needs to succeed, we can support children to remain close to their families, friends and local communities.”
Gill Howard, Headteacher at Mountjoy School, said:
“For many families, specialist provision can feel like the only option. What we see time and again is that, with the right support in place, children with additional needs can flourish in their local mainstream school.
“This recognition shows the power of partnership and of focusing on what children can achieve when schools, families and the council work together.”
Lesley Mellor, Chair of the Dorset Parent Carer Council, said:
“The national recognition will reassure families that mainstream schools can provide high‑quality SEND support and that children do not always need to move away from their local school to succeed.
It also highlights our ongoing commitment to inclusive education, partnership with schools, and supporting families to make informed choices about what is right for their child.”
The Council for Disabled Children awards celebrate organisations that are improving experiences and outcomes for children and young people with SEND through collaboration, innovation and inclusive practice.
In the picture: Left to right:
Roz Carter-Jones, Education Challenge Lead (North)
Kath Saunders, Head of North Locality and Strategic Lead for Learning & Belonging (SEND)
Gill Howard, Head Teacher – Mountjoy School
Georgia Gould OBE, MP – Minister of State for School Standards (presenting the Award)
Lesley Mellor – Chair, Dorset Parent Carer Council
Awards co-chairs/hosts:
Jo Harrison, National Network of Parent Carer Forums
Jacob Lennon, Council for Disabled Children FLARE member
