Birmingham's SEND reform plan approved, with £21m secured to improve support for children

Birmingham's three-year plan to improve support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is moving into delivery, after it was approved by the government and endorsed by the city council's cabinet.

The Local SEND Reforms Plan was discussed at cabinet on 20 October, following approval from the Department for Education earlier in the month. More than £21 million of government funding has already been secured for 2026/27 to help put it into practice.

What the plan will do

The plan was drawn up jointly by education, health and social care services and the Birmingham Parent Carer Forum, and prepares the city for the government's proposed reforms to the SEND system.

According to the council, it will focus on four things: earlier intervention, stronger inclusion in mainstream schools, more specialist support, and more local provision to meet growing demand.

A central part of the programme is a new model called Experts at Hand. It will give schools, early years settings and post-16 providers earlier access to specialist advice and support, so that more children can get help in their own communities rather than waiting or travelling.

The plan also continues investment in specialist places. Since 2024, the city has created 17 new resource bases and 416 additional specialist places, and further expansion is planned.

"The right support, at the right time"

Councillor Kamel Hawwash, cabinet member for children, young people and families, said: "Today marks an important milestone in Birmingham's journey to create a more inclusive and sustainable SEND system. We want every child and young person with SEND to receive the right support, at the right time, as close to home as possible.

"The reforms represent a significant change for our city and will require all of us, across education, health, care and local government, to work differently and more closely together."

He added that the plan "sets out how we will work with partners, schools and families to improve outcomes, build local capacity to ensure children and young people can feel supported, valued and able to achieve their full potential."

Work still to do

The approval is a vote of confidence, but not a blank cheque. According to the city's Local Offer website, the government recognised the commitment of partners and the progress made in leadership and partnership working, but also identified areas needing further development, including governance, delivery arrangements, performance monitoring and accountability. The government will continue to monitor Birmingham's progress.

The Birmingham Local Area SEND Partnership is made up of the city council, Birmingham Children's Trust, NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board, the Birmingham Parent Carer Forum, and the city's schools and settings.

What families need to do

Nothing, for now. Families do not need to take any action, and the services and support already in place will continue. The council says the voices of children, young people and parents will keep playing an important part in shaping SEND services as the plan is rolled out.

Work under the SEND Reform Delivery Plan will continue through to 2029. For the many Birmingham families who have found the system hard to navigate, the hope is that earlier help, closer to home, will make a real difference.