Department for Education Approves SEND Reform Plans for Two Councils

The Department for Education has approved special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reform plans for both Cheshire East and Worcestershire to improve health and education services for children and young people. The approvals unlock government funding to address historic high needs deficits caused by rising service demand and a shortage of specialist placements.

In Cheshire East, the plan emphasizes early identification and mainstream school inclusion through the Experts at Hand programme, which integrates speech and language therapy and educational psychology into schools. The government will offset 90 percent of the council's historic deficit, while the local authority launches an inclusion funding pilot and a capital programme that has already attracted bids from over 70 schools.

Worcestershire's three-year initiative focuses on enhancing partnerships between health, education, and council services. The approval makes the region eligible for an indicative grant of £162.7 million. However, Worcestershire County Council estimates a remaining deficit of £18.1 million, with an additional £40.6 million required after March 2028. Local officials intend to lobby the government to cover the full cost and resulting interest of the deficit to ensure long-term stability for local youth.