Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education.

(a)           That the content of Dorset’s Local Area SEND Reform Plan (2026-2029) be noted.

(b)           That the plan submitted to the Department for Education be endorsed.

(c)           That the proposed programme of reform and associate transformation activity be supported.

(d)           That further updates on delivery, performance and financial impact be brought back to Cabinet at key milestones.

Reason for the decision

The Reform Plan was a key strategic priority for the Council and a mandatory requirement under the Government's SEND reform programme. Its approval and delivery would help address growing financial pressures, improve outcomes for children and young people, increase local educational provision, and reduce reliance on costly out-of-area placements, creating a more sustainable and inclusive SEND system.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education presented a report on the final Dorset SEND Reform Plan that had been submitted to the DfE on 19 June 2026.

The plan had been developed through extensive partnership working with education, health and council colleagues, alongside children and young people with SEND and their families. Subject to DfE approval, which was expected in September, the plan would unlock significant financial support through the High Needs Block Stability Grant. Implementation was already underway, supported by £1.8 million of DfE funding for the Dorset Expertise Offer, with progress overseen by the independently chaired Dorset Alliance for Inclusion and Excellence in Education.

In response to questions regarding the higher rate of Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) growth in Dorset compared with the national average, members were advised that the exact reasons for this increase were not yet fully understood. However, Dorset's rural characteristics were likely to be a significant factor. Many children in Dorset beginning their education in small, close-knit primary schools where their needs were well understood and effectively supported. Transitioning to larger secondary schools presented additional challenges, and both families and schools may seek the reassurance of an EHCP to ensure appropriate support was in place.

To address this, the council was developing a range of initiatives, including Inclusion Hubs and the Experts at Hand service, delivered through the locality-based Family Help model. These were intended to provide earlier access to specialist advice and support, strengthen inclusive practice in mainstream schools, and give families and education settings greater confidence that children's needs could be met effectively without necessarily requiring a statutory plan.

Responding to further detailed questions, the Cabinet Member advised that it was not possible to provide a full response at the meeting and invited the member concerned to submit their questions directly after the meeting so that a detailed response could be provided. However, she highlighted that specialist schools remained the right provision for some children and young people, while others could achieve better outcomes in mainstream schools with the appropriate support in place.

She emphasised that improving workforce skills and teacher training would be critical to the success of the reforms, noting that the DfE had set aside funding to support workforce development. The Executive Director also acknowledged concerns that Inclusion Hubs could unintentionally become a route to exclusion, but assured members that these risks were recognised and that mitigating actions would be put in place. The council would also continue to support and invest in its special school sector as an important part of the overall SEND system.

It was proposed by Cllr C Sutton and seconded by Cllr S Clifford

Decision

(a)           That the content of Dorset’s Local Area SEND Reform Plan (2026-2029) be noted.

(b)           That the plan submitted to the Department for Education be endorsed.

(c)           That the proposed programme of reform and associate transformation activity be supported.

(d)           That further updates on delivery, performance and financial impact be brought back to Cabinet at  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38