SEND Improvement Board Independent Chair's Update from Kathryn Boulton 14 October 2026

The SEND Improvement Board met in October to review progress across SEND services in Lancashire and to agree what needs to happen next.

Members welcomed the approval of Lancashire's SEND Reform Plan by the Department for Education. The Board agreed that approval is an important milestone, but that the focus must now be on making changes happen in practice and making sure children, young people and families experience real improvements. Board members agreed to continue overseeing delivery of the Reform Plan and to make sure it is closely linked to the SEND Strategy, Priority Action Plan and Experts at Hand programme.

The Board received an update on Experts at Hand, which aims to provide earlier support through closer working between education, health and care services. Members agreed that schools, families and partner organisations must have more opportunities to help shape the model before it is finalised. Board members will continue to monitor progress and ensure that feedback from schools and families is used to improve the approach.

The Board also looked closely at Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) performance. Members heard that work is taking place to reduce delays, improve data quality and strengthen processes. While there are signs of progress, the Board agreed that further improvements are needed before families consistently experience a better service. Members will continue to review performance each month and will closely track the actions being taken to improve timeliness and quality, particularly in relation to health advice.

The Board discussed plans to improve support for children and young people with neurodevelopmental needs. Members supported a needs-led approach, meaning children and young people should be able to access advice, strategies and support without needing to wait for a diagnosis. The Board agreed to continue to evaluate the development of the new pathway and the support available for families while they wait.

Feedback from parent carers and young people was another important part of the discussion. Board members heard that improvements have been made in gathering feedback, but families do not always see what happens as a result. The Board agreed that a clearer process is needed so that feedback is collected, acted upon and reported back, including on the Local Offer You said, we did webpage. Members will work with the Lancashire Parent Carer Forum to make sure families can see how their views have influenced decisions and improvements.

The Board also reviewed plans for participation and co-production with children and young people. Members agreed that success should be measured by the difference participation makes, not simply by the number of activities that take place. The Board wants to see stronger opportunities for younger children to share their views and for children and young people to play a bigger role in shaping services.

Preparation for Adulthood was identified as an area that still needs further improvement. Board members agreed to maintain close oversight of this work and to receive a more detailed update on transitions to adult life, employment, independence, health and social care services over the coming months.

Throughout the meeting, Board members recognised that progress is being made, but they were clear that more work is needed. They agreed to continue challenging partners, monitoring performance and reviewing evidence to ensure that improvements lead to better experiences and outcomes for children, young people and families.

The Board expects its work over the coming months to help create earlier support, better communication, improved EHCP timeliness, stronger partnership working and more opportunities for families to influence how services are developed and delivered

The next meeting of the Board will take place on 11 November 2026.

The Independent Chair's update will be written after each board meeting and published on the SEND Improvement Board webpage within 1-2 weeks, before being shared on social media. Formal minutes of the meeting will be written and published after they have been approved at the next board meeting.

Please refer to SEND priority action plan and One Year On Report for an update on progress made against the Priority Action Plan since the SEND Inspection in 2024.

A full communications strategy and delivery plan has been published on the Local Offer Communication and Engagement Strategy, which focuses on the principles of participation and co-production through The Lundy model and Four Cornerstones Model of co-production.

Feedback mechanisms include the SEND survey for parent carers and children and young people. Additional feedback mechanisms for children and young people are being developed by our Strategic Lead for Participation and Co-production.

To give feedback about a SEND service please complete one of the forms for compliments, comments or complaints, where we will do all we can to sort the problem out quickly, to investigate it fairly and to explain fully the result of the process. If you are unhappy with the plan, contact your EHCP officer in the first instance. If you cannot find a resolution, you can also contact impartial services, for advice or support to help you resolve any disagreements EHC plan disagreements and complaints.

If you are a parent carer and have any thoughts or comments, please contact the Lancashire Parent Carer Forum by emailing secretarylpcf@lancashireparentcarerforum.org.uk.

If you have a child / young person interested in POWAR participation group please contact Suliman Hussain at suliman.hussain@lancashire.gov.uk.

If you are a partner, please do feedback through your organisation. Also don’t forget to sign up to our SEND Newsletter if you’re not already receiving it.