(UK) Bournemouth: More SPED plans; increasing need in autism, speech, language, SEMH needs
A major overhaul of Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) services aims to provide earlier support by reduce the number of EHCPs, increase spaces in mainstream schools and build a new special school. BCP Council submitted its Local SEND Reform Plan to the government on June 19 which sets out how education, health and care partners to improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND needs across the conurbation.
The three-year strategy also aims to provide more direct expertise for children and young people with special educational needs across the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area.
Councillor Richard Burton, BCP Council’s Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People, said: “Children, young people, families and practitioners have helped shape this plan from the beginning and their involvement has been central throughout its development.
“They have been clear that they want a system that works around the child, where children feel accepted, supported and able to flourish.
“We remain committed to being open about the process, continuing our work with families and partners, and keeping people informed as the programme progresses.”
The plan was co-produced with input from children, families, and education providers and sets out a joint approach between education, health and care partners to improve outcomes for children with SEND.
in recent years, BCP Council has seen rising numbers of education health and care plans (EHCPs), driven by increasing need in areas such as autism, speech and language difficulties, and social, emotional and mental health.
Families continue to report inconsistent experiences with SEND services.
If approved, the plan will focus on strengthening inclusion, delivering timely support, and reducing the escalation to formal EHCPs wherever possible.
A central feature of the plan is the ‘Experts at Hand’ model, designed to build a broader, sustainable workforce rooted in lived and professional experience.
The model aims to move away from a referral-only approach and embed early, local support that strengthens everyday inclusive practice.
By 2028/29, the council aims to increase specialist placements in mainstream schools to 405.
It also hopes to more than double the number of children supported by speech and language therapists without requiring an EHCP, expand occupational therapy support from 536 to 2,518 children, and grow educational psychology provision from 259 to 3,357.
The plan includes delivery of an education capital programme approved by cabinet in March 2026. . . .
During the first year of the plan, the council aims to expand specialist placements within mainstream schools, launch the Experts at Hand service, and improve access to speech and language, occupational therapy, and educational psychology. . . .
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