SEND transformations in Shropshire

Shropshire Council is beginning a transformation of its children’s services, including its services for children and young people with SEND.

What will the SEND transformation involve?

The transformation of children’s services will reflect changes in national government requirements, with a focus on prevention and on helping staff from different services work better together, to help make families’ experience easier.

For SEND, this will include:

  • Helping children and young people with SEND thrive in mainstream education settings where possible
  • Providing appropriate specialist support where needed
  • Efficient and effective local delivery by improving local services so that they work better together

There will be a strong emphasis on earlier identification, inclusive mainstream practice, clearer expectations for families and settings, and stronger joint working across education, health and care. There will be increased use of data, dashboards and quality assurance to improve transparency, consistency and value for money. The transformation will require agreement of a shared local SEND standard and strengthened front‑door and graduated response. There will be a focus on improving the quality and timeliness of education, health and care plans (EHCPs).   

Delivering lasting change will require the collective commitment and sustained effort of partners including government, local authorities, health partners, early years, MATs, schools and colleges, all working together with parents and carers to build the inclusive system Shropshire’s children and young people deserve.

How do the SEND reforms fit into the broader Children’s Transformation Programme?

Delivery of national SEND and AP reforms is a core part of children’s transformation. Close alignment with the wider Children’s Transformation Programme will embed SEND within a whole‑system approach to prevention, early help and joined‑up support that will help partners work more consistently around the child, build confidence for families and settings, and develop a more sustainable and value‑for‑money SEND system for the future.   

When will the changes come into force?

Shropshire’s Local Area SEND Reform Plan was submitted to the Department for Education in the summer 2026. The team is now working on developing more detailed implementation plans. News and updates will be shared on the Local Offer social media accounts and through the SEND newsletter.