SEND Reforms

“SEND Reform: Putting Children and Young People First”

SEND REFORMS IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

You will be aware of the Government’s new SEND Reforms which we consulted on in May 2026. The outcome of the consultation has not yet been issued, but all local authorities are working on the SEND implementations already.

It is very important for our children and families in Lewisham that the parent carer voice is represented in this process, and we do need a wide range of parents and carers to contribute their own experiences and perspectives directly.

We have 9 workstreams within the SEND Implementation Plan and we wondered if you would like to be involved, and share your lived experience in shaping the services for our children. Please note that a LPCF rep can support you at your first meeting.

We have attached a flyer to this email, together with the workstreams, the terms of reference and recognition payment information.

We would ideally like 1 or 2 parents/carers per workstream. They will be online or face to face and one meeting per month for 90 minutes, and as a thank you, you will receive a £25 voucher, for each meeting.

We would also ask that, if possible, you attend a Steering Group meeting with the LPCF and all the workstream parents and carers online, for one hour, once a term, to talk about your feelings on progress.

If you are interested in getting involved, and would like more information, please do contact Sue on 07534568020 or email sue@lewishamparentcarer.org.uk.

We hope you will consider taking part. By working together, we have a real opportunity to influence and improve SEND services for children, young people, and families across Lewisham.

To find out about the workstreams, together with payment recognition information, please see below.

LPCF Engagement Terms of reference v2

Payment Recognition

Parents Guide to the Code of Practice

The Parents’ Guide to the SEN and disability reforms which has now been published. This is now available to download (click here) and includes, as an annex, a note on transitional arrangements from the old to the new system.

Other guides are available for:

Schools and alternative provision settings
Further Education providers
Social Care professionals
Transitional arrangements

The final guidance on transition to the new 0-25 special educational needs and disability system introduced by Part 3 of the Children and Families Act 2014 is now online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-managing-changes-to-legislation-from-september-2014

Latest published guidance and briefings for the SEND Reforms

Review of EHC plans

DfE have undertaken a review of EHC plans and templates, including the use of outcomes. This short letter sets out some of the key findings, it can be accessed here.

A more detailed overview of EHC planning is provided in a PowerPoint presentation here.

Resources and Letters

A series of brief guides to the Code of Practice aimed at parents, health partners, social care, early years settings, schools and FE colleges is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-code-of-practice-0-to-25 with individual links to each guide.