SEND Improvement Board Independent Chair's Update from Kathryn Boulton 17 September 2026
Introduction
Hello and welcome to my Chair's Update, as Independent Chair of the Lancashire SEND Improvement Board. The Lancashire SEND Partnership Improvement Board met on 18 September 2026. Our role is to check progress, ask challenging questions and make sure that improvements lead to better support and outcomes for children, young people and their families.
It is good to be to say that there has been positive progress. All milestones under Priority 1, covering leadership, performance, governance and joint commissioning, have been completed. Partnership working has improved, however, completing a milestone is not the end of the work. We now need clear evidence that these changes are making a real difference and having a positive impact for children and families. Short-term task and finish groups will be used to move forward actions that are still outstanding.
The SEND Reform Plan and Experts at Hand programme have moved into implementation. The education model will provide universal, targeted and specialist support. Work is also under way to plan the workforce needed to deliver the new approach. The Board recognised the opportunities this creates, but also highlighted risks around staffing, funding and making sure that new work joins up with existing services.
Improving Education, Health and Care Plans remain a major priority. Work is continuing on annual reviews, assessment timescales, sharing plans safely across services and improving the quality of plans. A recovery plan covering 1,500 plans is in place. However, the Board does not yet have enough confidence in the annual review information and has asked for a clearer recovery plan and timetable.
The latest audit findings showed that too many plans still need improvement, particularly in how health and social care information is recorded and in key sections of the plan. A focused group will address recurring issues, improve guidance and strengthen training for plan writers and auditors. Children and young people will continue to help us understand whether plans are clear, accessible and meaningful to them.
Progress is also being made on the neurodevelopmental pathway. Enhanced triage, profiling and needs-led support are being developed, and waiting times have reduced. However, concerns remain about waiting times, service capacity, digital exclusion, data sharing and the support available when a child does not receive a diagnosis. The Board has asked partners to explore practical digital support through libraries, Family Hubs and public health services.
We heard directly from young people following the Young People’s Takeover Day. They told us about the importance of belonging, reasonable adjustments, positive relationships, inclusive communities, clear communication and sensory-friendly environments. Board members have been asked to explain, in plain English, what they will do differently following the takeover day and how children and young people will notice the change.
The Lancashire Parent Carer Forum continues to gather and share families’ experiences. The Board recognised that families need clearer information about assessments, thresholds, direct payments and access to support. We also agreed that it is important to tell families what has changed as a result of their feedback.
For Preparation for Adulthood, work includes a Young Adults Team Pathway, consultation meetings, support for schools and settings, and involving young people in checking the quality of plans. Remaining work on guidance, training and health transitions will be taken forward through a task and finish group.
The Board will continue to monitor risks closely and expect clear ownership, action and evidence of impact. At our next meeting, we will look again at the annual review recovery work and the progress being made across the improvement priorities. The upcoming DfE Deep Dive will focus on Education, Health and Care Plan timeliness and quality, providing check and challenge for further improvements.
Communication
The next meeting of the Board will take place on 14 October 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 parent carer forum 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.