SEND Reforms in Buckinghamshire

The Government has changed how SEND support works across England. These proposed changes are set out in the Schools White Paper. The SEND Reform consultation will be introduced gradually over the next few years.

The aim is to make sure that:

• children get the right help earlier,
• more support is available in mainstream schools,
• and families don’t have to struggle to find basic support.

• Support will be offered earlier, without needing a diagnosis.
• More help will be available in settings through better training and specialist advice.
• Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) will remain for children with the most complex needs.
• A new Individual Support Plan (ISP) will explain day‑to‑day support for many children.
• Settings will get access to specialist professionals through a new “Experts at Hand” service.

• You and your child should not need to wait for an EHCP to get support.
• Support should be clearer, written down, and reviewed regularly.
• Settings will have more advice and specialist input.

Following the November 2025 Ofsted inspection findings of the Buckinghamshire Local Area Partnership, Buckinghamshire Council must follow an Inspection and Improvement Plan. This sets out:

• what must improve
• who is responsible
• how progress is checked

The plan is not optional and is:

• monitored externally by the Department for Education and Ofsted.
• time‑limited. It is reported to the SEND Partnership Board bi-monthly.
• reviewed against clear evidence (Yearly Written Statement of Action to Ofsted).

The Improvement Plan focuses on:

• faster decision-making
• consistent support across schools
• better communication with families
• stronger leadership and oversight

1. Progress is reviewed regularly.
2. Services must show real change. Not just paperwork.
3. Parent Carer Forums are involved in monitoring and challenging.

• Now: Improvements to current SEND services and access to support.
• From September 2026: National SEND training for school and early years staff.
• Over the next few years: A gradual introduction of new support systems.
• EHCP changes: No immediate changes to existing plans.

You will be informed of any changes that could affect your child before they are made.

As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, Buckinghamshire is currently delivering on a SEND Recovery Plan. This is specifically targeted at reducing the delays in EHC needs assessments and fixing problems right now. This follows feedback from families that have told us services haven’t been working as they should.

This includes improving:

• delays in assessments and reviews
• communication with children, young people and families
• access to support while waiting
• how well services work together

Some of the improvements already underway include:

• Stronger joint working between education, health, and care
• Clearer processes for schools to get advice and support
• Better tracking of delays so problems are spotted earlier

1. Progress is monitored regularly.
2. The council is required to show evidence of improvement, not just plans.
3. Children, young people and parent feedback continues to shape what changes first.

If you are unsure how any of this affects your child, speak to your:

• child's nursery, childminder, or early years setting
• child’s school or SENCO
• young person’s college or education provider
• named education or SEND contact

If you wish to speak to someone, you can:

• Contact the Buckinghamshire SEND Service on 01296 382 135.
• Get independent support from SENDIAS.
• Contact FACT Bucks Parent Carer Forum about your views. Your feedback will play a key role in shaping our national response to the consultation.

• Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment recovery plan
• Buckinghamshire SEND Local Offer
• The SEND and Inclusion Strategy

We recognise that this is a lot of information. You are not expected to understand everything at once. Support is available to help you navigate the changes.

These reforms and plans do not take away:

• your/your child’s needs
• your voice
• your right to challenge when things aren’t working

The focus is on earlier help, better support, and stronger accountability. We will continue to share updates as changes happen.