We are pleased to share some positive news for children, young people and families across Hampshire.
Hampshire's SEND Reform Plan has now been accepted by the Department for Education (DfE), providing support for our shared vision to improve the experience of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). As we move into the next phase of this work, the programme is being relaunched as The Future of SEND in Hampshire.
The Future of SEND in Hampshire has been developed in partnership with education, health, local authority services and parent-carer representatives. It reflects a shared ambition to make Hampshire a place where children and young people with SEND can thrive, feel included and achieve their goals.
We know that lasting improvement can only be achieved by listening to families and learning from their experiences. As the programme develops, there will be opportunities for parents, carers, children and young people to continue helping shape the future of SEND services in Hampshire.
The acceptance of the SEND Reform Plan is an important milestone, but it is just the beginning. The real measure of success will be the difference this work makes to the lives of children, young people and their families.
Together, we are building The Future of SEND in Hampshire.
We know that many families tell us they want support to be easier to access, joined up across services, and available earlier when concerns first arise.
The Future of SEND in Hampshire is our long-term commitment to working with families, schools, colleges, health services and community partners to build a system that is more inclusive, more responsive and focused on achieving the best possible outcomes for children and young people.
We know that many families tell us they want support to be easier to access, joined up across services, and available earlier when concerns first arise.
The Future of SEND in Hampshire is our long-term commitment to working with families, schools, colleges, health services and community partners to build a system that is more inclusive, more responsive and focused on achieving the best possible outcomes for children and young people.
Over time, families should begin to see improvements in a number of areas, including:
Over time, families should begin to see improvements in a number of areas, including:
One of the key developments will be the introduction of Experts at Hand, a new approach that will help schools, colleges and early years settings access specialist advice and expertise more quickly. The aim is to help children and young people get the right support at the right time and reduce the need for families to repeat their story to multiple professionals.
Alongside this, work will continue to strengthen inclusive practice in schools and settings, increase local SEND provision, and ensure that services work together more effectively around the needs of children and young people.
One of the key developments will be the introduction of Experts at Hand, a new approach that will help schools, colleges and early years settings access specialist advice and expertise more quickly. The aim is to help children and young people get the right support at the right time and reduce the need for families to repeat their story to multiple professionals.
Alongside this, work will continue to strengthen inclusive practice in schools and settings, increase local SEND provision, and ensure that services work together more effectively around the needs of children and young people.