SEND and Inclusion Strategy 2025 to 2030
Priority 2: Education Sufficiency
There will be enough high-quality education provision to meet the continuum of SEND educational needs. This includes:
- post-16
- mainstream
- Additionally Resourced Provisions (ARPs) and units
- specialist and alternative provision
The development of this strategy highlighted that a shortage of education places is increasing pressure on mainstream settings. This often hinders the ability of children and young people (CYP) to reach their full potential. Many are unable to access appropriate educational environments that are both:
- close to home
- tailored to their specific needs
We recognise that this impacts not only the child or young person, but their family around them too. The number of CYP with recognised SEND has increased dramatically over the past decade. From a base of 3,160 in 2014, the number of EHCPs maintained in Buckinghamshire has risen to 7,217 by January 2025. This is an increase of over 100%. The increase for 2024 to 2025 alone was 8%.
This trend is predicted to continue, with over 12,000 EHCPs expected to be maintained by 2032. There have also been changes in the complexity and type of need. The challenge for Buckinghamshire is to continue to respond to these changes and ensure the right provision is in place to meet the needs of all learners.
Aspirations
Children and young people have shared the following aspirations:
- “I have teachers who read my EHCP, understand my needs and have the time to support me”
- “I can access timely and consistent mental health support. This includes 1:1 drop-in support when at school”
- “I can access extracurricular activities and school trips”
- “I am safe in school”
- “I am my peers understand my needs and include me in school life”
- “I am supported by the school when moving to a new class, educational setting, or employment”
- “If I can’t attend school, I receive the same standard of education and support at home”
- “I have opportunities to have a say in how my school supports me and my peers with SEND”
- “I want to learn beyond the school curriculum and shouldn’t be measured solely on this”
What we will do
- Continue to progress our sufficiency activities. We will increase local provision that meets the needs of CYP and achieves positive outcomes. We will create high-class provision and appropriate support to reduce the need for children and young people with high support needs to be placed in out-of-county settings. We will produce a detailed assessment of the current and projected SEND needs of children and young people in Buckinghamshire. These will be published on an annual basis so that partners can plan services on a consistent basis.
- Develop and deliver against strategic plans for alternative provision. This includes post-16 and post-19. This ensures partners have the right type, quantity and range of alternative provision to meet CYP’s needs.
- Further develop inclusive practice and transitions support across all schools and settings. This aims to support a positive experience for CYP.