Government approves Bury's ambitious SEND reform plan

Bury's SEND Reform Plan has now been formally agreed with the Department for Education (DfE), marking an important milestone in the borough's improvement journey and providing a clear framework for delivering national SEND reform locally. The plan sets out how Bury will work alongside children and young people, families, schools, health services and partner organisations to implement the Government's vision for a more inclusive, responsive and sustainable SEND system.

The reform plan reflects a shared commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND through earlier support, more inclusive practice, improved access to specialist advice, and stronger joined-up working across education, health and care.

In a letter to local leaders, the Department for Education and Department of Health and Social Care confirmed that Bury's plan had met the required threshold for approval and provides a positive foundation for delivery. The Government also recognised the progress made in strengthening local leadership, partnership working and governance arrangements.

Agreement from the DfE provides assurance that Bury's plans align with the national direction for SEND reform and demonstrates confidence in the borough's approach to delivering meaningful change for local children, young people and families.

This approval builds on the progress already recognised across Bury's SEND Partnership. Earlier this year, Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) highlighted the positive progress made through strengthened partnership working across education, health and care. The reform plan provides the framework for sustaining that momentum and delivering further improvements for children, young people and families.

Councillor Sandra Walmsley, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said:

"This approval is an important milestone and recognition of the progress we have made together with our partners across education, health and care. Most importantly, it gives us a strong platform to continue improving the support available to children and young people with SEND and their families.

"We know there is more work to do and we are not complacent. Our focus now is on turning our plans into tangible improvements that families can see and feel through earlier support, more inclusive services and better outcomes for children and young people.

"We are committed to working closely with families, schools, health services and community partners to build a SEND system that gives every child and young person the opportunity to achieve, belong and thrive here in Bury."

The SEND Reform Plan also reflects the ambitions of LET'S Do It!, Bury's long-term strategy for creating a more inclusive borough by building on strengths, putting relationships first and working together with residents and partners. Through closer collaboration across education, health and care, the plan supports the shared ambition that every child and young person can access the right support at the right time, fulfil their potential and thrive in their local community.

The council and its partners will now continue working closely with families, education providers and health services as the reform programme moves into its delivery phase, ensuring the improvements set out within the plan translate into better experiences and outcomes for children, young people and families across the borough.