SEND Strategic Action Plan: 5 key areas for improvement
In July 2025, South Gloucestershire’s local SEND arrangements were inspected by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission. Their report was published in November 2025 and highlighted both strengths and areas where improvement is needed.
Since then, the Area Partnership have worked together to update the local SEND Strategic Action Plan. This plan sets out how the Local Area Partnership will respond to the inspection findings and improve support for children, young people and families.
SGPC has continued to share the collective voice of parent carers as part of this work, helping to make sure families’ experiences, concerns and priorities are heard.
The 5 key areas
1. Listening to families and improving co-production
The inspection highlighted how families want to be involved earlier and have meaningful engagement in decisions that affect SEND services.
The plan aims to strengthen how children, young people and parent carers are listened to, involved and updated. This includes clearer feedback routes and better “You said, we did” updates, so families can see how their views are making a difference.
2. Improving support for neurodivergent children and young people
Many families have shared how difficult it can be to wait for neurodevelopmental assessments and support.
The plan focuses on improving information, reducing confusion, and making sure children’s needs are recognised earlier. A key aim is that support should be based on need, not just on whether a child has a diagnosis.
3. Developing the Dynamic Support Register
The inspection highlighted the need to improve the Dynamic Support Register for children and young people up to age 25.
This register helps services identify children and young people with a learning disability and/or autism who may be at risk of crisis, so support can be put in place earlier. The aim is to improve joined-up working between services and help prevent families reaching crisis point.
4. Improving local provision and support
Families highlighted that finding the right support can be difficult, especially for children and young people with social, emotional and mental health needs, attendance difficulties, or those needing alternative provision.
The plan focuses on improving the range and quality of local support, including Alternative Provision, specialist provision and Post-16 pathways. The aim is for children and young people to access the right support, in the right place, at the right time.
5. Improving the quality and consistency of EHCPs
Families have continued to tell us that EHCP processes can feel slow, complex and difficult to navigate.
The plan aims to improve the quality and consistency of Education, Health and Care Plans, so they better reflect each child or young person’s needs, outcomes and required support across education, health and care.
SGPC’s role
SGPC will continue to represent the collective voice of parent carers and work with local partners to support meaningful co-production.
We know many families are still facing significant challenges. The Strategic Action Plan is an important step, but what matters most is the difference families see and feel in everyday life.
Please continue to share your experiences with us. Your voice helps us highlight what is working, what is not working, and where change is still needed.
May 2026