Council to consider strengthening children’s SEND support

02 April 2026

North Northamptonshire Council is set to strengthen the support available for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), as plans to recommission key education outreach and inclusion services go before the Executive on 14 April 2026.

The refreshed approach aims to ensure children receive the right help at the right time, enabling more young people to thrive in their local schools and communities. Demand for SEND support has risen significantly both nationally and locally, with North Northamptonshire experiencing a marked increase in children needing additional help.

Under the proposals, the Council would recommission a range of specialist outreach programmes that support schools in meeting SEND needs, as well as two Nurture Units that work with primary-aged pupils experiencing social, emotional and mental health challenges. These services currently support thousands of children every year and are highly valued by schools across the area.

Our priority is making sure every child in North Northamptonshire has the chance to succeed. By strengthening these services and working closely with families and schools, we can ensure children receive the right support early on and in the most effective setting. This is a positive step that puts children’s needs front and centre.Cllr Elizabeth Wright, North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive Member for Children, Education and Families

Under the new plans, the council would modernise and formalise existing arrangements, bringing them in line with best practice, updated legislation and the local authority’s new Corporate Plan. 

A two‑stage commissioning approach will ensure both continuity and improvement:

• Stage 1 (2026): A short-term re‑commissioning process to stabilise services, strengthen contract management and ensure children continue to receive high-quality support
• Stage 2 (from late 2026): A full, co‑produced review involving parents, carers, young people, schools and providers to design longer-term, innovative services that better reflect the needs of North Northamptonshire’s communities

This approach is expected to improve outcomes for children, particularly in key areas such as speech, language and communication needs, social, emotional and mental health needs, as well as cognition and learning. It will also improve outcomes for autism (communication and interaction), as well as preventing exclusion and keeping children in mainstream education wherever possible.

Supporting schools to meet these needs earlier is also expected to reduce the number of children requiring specialist placements far from home, improving wellbeing and lowering long‑term costs for the council.

This recommissioning would help us deliver more joined‑up, consistent and impactful support for schools and families. By working with our communities to redesign these services, we can create a system that is more responsive, more inclusive and more aligned to the needs of children today.Cllr Elizabeth Wright

If agreed by Executive, the council will begin preparations for the procurement process, with tenders for Stage 1 expected to go live in May 2026.

Find out more about SEND support on the council website.