East Sussex Local SEND Reform Plan approved

A PLAN that will improve support for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) and help more families access the right support at the right time has been approved by Government.

Approval means that East Sussex County Council is eligible to receive a High Needs Stability Grant covering 90 per cent of its Designated Schools Grant deficit.

The plan was developed by a local area partnership made up of representatives from East Sussex County Council, the local NHS Integrated Care Board, schools, trusts, and colleges, as well as families and young people with SEND and other services that support them.

At the heart of the plan is a commitment to ensuring children and young people with SEND receive help earlier, have their needs identified more quickly, and can thrive in their local school or setting wherever possible. It will strengthen support available in schools and communities, creating a more inclusive and responsive system for children and families.

Cllr Paul Soane, the county council’s lead member for Education and Inclusion, Special Educational Needs and Disability, said: “Government approval reflects the hard work and commitment of partners across East Sussex to develop a plan that will make a real difference to the lives of children and young people with SEND and their families.

“Our shared ambition is for children and young people to get the right support at the right time, helping them to learn, develop, participate in their communities and achieve their potential.”

He added: “While this is an important milestone, the focus now is on delivering the improvements set out in the plan. Schools, early years settings, colleges, health services, social care and the local authority all have a vital role to play in making sure children and families see the benefits.

“The High Needs Stability Grant also reduces financial pressures that have built up over several years and gives us a stronger foundation to invest in the changes needed to improve outcomes for children and young people.”

The plan includes further strengthening support in schools and settings, improving early intervention and increasing access to specialist expertise so that needs can be identified and met as early as possible.

It also includes developing a local "Experts at Hand" offer through the recruitment of additional speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, educational psychologists and specialist teachers. This will ensure that schools can access advice and support more easily when children and young people need extra help.

Building on work already underway with schools, the plan will also strengthen support in early years settings and post-16 provision, helping to create a more consistent experience for children and young people throughout their education journey.

A SEND Strategy Governance Board, made up of parents and carers, young people, schools and settings, and health, education and social care professionals, will meet regularly to monitor progress and ensure the Local SEND Reform Plan remains focused on improving outcomes for children, young people and families.

The Local SEND Reform Plan can be viewed at East Sussex SEND Strategy | East Sussex Local Offer

 

Ends.

Thursday, 8 October 2026