Today, South Glos Parent Carers submitted our formal response to the government’s SEND Reform consultation on behalf of every family we represent across South Gloucestershire. This has been an important and significant piece of work for SGPC, and we want to be open with families about how we approached it.

In July 2025, South Gloucestershire’s local SEND arrangements were inspected by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission. Since their report was published in November, the Area Partnership have worked together to update the local SEND Strategic Action Plan.

We know that waiting for assessments can be a really worrying and uncertain time for many families. We wanted to share a short update about Right to Choose in our local area.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our SEND White Paper Changes webinar with Polly Kerr. If you would like to watch the video again or know of someone who wasn’t able to attend the event and who would like to know a little more about the proposals, please feel free to watch the recording of the webinar.

We’re excited to launch our Term 4 Newsletter . This edition is full of updates to help you stay connected with what’s happening at SGPC and the changes which are being proposed to SEND support.

While these proposals give a sense of the direction of travel, many important details are still unclear and there are a number of unanswered questions.  This final survey gives you the opportunity to share any final thoughts or concerns you may have about the consultation and White Paper that you have not already been able to share.

Under the current system, local authorities are subject to clear legal obligations and routes of accountability, particularly through EHCPs and enforceable provisions such as Section F. However, under the reforms the duties will lie with schools.

Whilst the Consultation document (SEND Reform: Putting Children and Young People First) does discuss the proposed tiers of support, we are aware that there are many gaps in detail which may leave families feeling uncertain as to how the new proposals will work for them and where their child or young person will fit.

The Government proposals aim to ensure that children and young people can have their needs met, and support put in place, by using National Inclusion Standards, the tiers of support and the tools that will be provided as part of this without needing an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), unless needs are considered more complex and require specialist provision.

Bookings are open for our workshops through till the end of July 2026. Check out the upcoming topics and book your spot.

The Government states that it recognises that for those with the most “complex needs,” highly specialised provision is required. The Specialist tier will provide this support, in both specialist and mainstream settings, based on nationally defined Specialist Provision Packages. These Packages will form the basis of an EHCP.

All children will receive a Universal offer of support through the National Inclusion Standards. If a child or young person requires support above this level the following tiers of support will be available: Targeted, Targeted Plus, Specialist.