A new plan designed to improve support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) across Bath and North East Somerset is set to be considered by councillors next month.
The Local SEND Reform Plan has been developed with the help of young people, parents, carers, schools, health services and voluntary organisations, placing the experiences of local families at the heart of future support.
The plan, which will be considered by Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Cabinet on 2 July before being submitted to the Department for Education, sets out how services will continue to improve so that every child and young person can achieve, belong and thrive.
Around 18.8% of pupils in local schools were identified as needing SEND support in 2025, slightly above the national average, highlighting the growing demand for specialist services.
The reform plan focuses on improving early identification of needs, strengthening inclusive practice in mainstream schools, increasing access to specialist support and making services simpler and more consistent for families to navigate.
It also builds on work already underway through the council’s ‘Our Plan for SEND’, published in 2025. Recent developments include proposals for a new 120-place special free school at the Culverhay site in Bath and work beginning on a new SEND resource base at Mulberry Park Primary School.
Parents and carers have played a key role in shaping the reforms through surveys, focus groups, community events and ongoing collaboration with the Parent Carer Forum and Sendias BathNES.
Councillor Paul May, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said, “Families and carers have been central to shaping this plan, sharing their experiences and helping us understand where we need to do better. We are determined to build a system that works for every child and young person, with the right support at the right time.
“This plan sets out how we will strengthen inclusion, improve access to specialist help and make services easier to navigate.
“By continuing to work closely with our partners and our communities, we can make sure more children and young people with SEND feel understood, supported and able to thrive.”
The plan sets out a long-term ambition to create a more inclusive education system from early years through to further education and adulthood, ensuring children and young people with SEND feel part of their local community and are supported to reach their full potential.
