Ministers have approved Dorset’s plan to transform support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) which means Dorset Council has the green light to go ahead with improvements.
Ministers have approved Dorset’s plan to transform support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) which means Dorset Council has the green light to go ahead with improvements.
Changes through the SEND Reform Plan, now known locally in Dorset as the Local SEND Transformation Plan, will mean that needs are identified earlier and children, young people and their families will have better outcomes and experiences.
The plan was developed with partners across education, health and care with support from families, children and young people with SEND. It builds on Dorset’s strong track record of partnership working and the positive findings from Dorset’s 2024 Ofsted SEND inspection, helping create a more inclusive, responsive and sustainable system for the future.
The plan sets out how Dorset will strengthen its SEND system over the next three years, building on work already underway locally to ensure children and young people get the right support at the right time, as close to home as possible and go on to lead fulfilling lives.
The plan focuses on creating a stronger and more inclusive local system. Its ambition is that families should find it easier to access help when they need it, without facing unnecessary delays or complexity. It also aims to improve long-term outcomes for children and young people, helping them prepare for adulthood, employment and independent living.
Councillor Clare Sutton, Dorset Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education, said: “We know that some families have had difficult experiences of the SEND system, and we recognise the concerns many people have. I want families to know that we are listening and that our focus remains firmly on improving outcomes for children and young people.
“We are building a more inclusive system where children and young people can get the right help at the right time, without families feeling they have to fight for it.
“We will continue to work with families, education settings, health partners and parent carer groups as this programme develops because lasting improvement can only be achieved by listening to the experiences of those closest to it.”
Approval of the plan by ministers also means that Dorset Council will receive a refund of 90% of the deficit that built up in its High Needs Block, the government funding used to support children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The council will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available and will work with families and partners to shape future developments.
