Government approves North Northamptonshire SEND reform plan

06 October 2026

North Northamptonshire Council has welcomed Government approval of its Local SEND Reform Plan, marking an important milestone in work to improve services and support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The approval recognises the progress being made across North Northamptonshire and provides a firm foundation for the next phase of work to create a more inclusive, responsive and sustainable SEND system.

The plan has been shaped through partnership working across education, health and social care, alongside the parent carers forum, with children, young people, families and parent carers also making invaluable contributions.

Together, partners have developed a shared vision for improving SEND services and ensuring children and young people receive the right support to help them thrive.

I would like to thank everyone who has helped us reach this point, particularly our children, young people, families and parent carers, as well as colleagues and partners across education, health and social care. Their experiences, expertise and commitment have been fundamental in shaping our plans. While we should recognise and celebrate this achievement, approval of the plan is not the end of the journey. Our focus now is firmly on delivery and making sure these plans result in real, lasting improvements to the everyday experiences of children and young people with SEND and their families. We want every child and young person in North Northamptonshire to have the opportunity to achieve their potential, and we will continue working with families, schools, early years settings and our partners to make that ambition a reality.Cllr Elizabeth Wright, North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive Member for Children, Education and Families

Approval of the reform plan also means the council is eligible to receive an indicative High Needs Stability Grant allocation covering 90 per cent of its Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) deficit accrued up to the end of 2025/26.

Formal confirmation of the funding has not yet been received, with further details expected from Government in due course. If confirmed, the funding will help support the financial sustainability of SEND services and provide greater stability as improvements are implemented across the local system.

The council and its partners will now focus on delivering the commitments within the reform plan and translating them into meaningful and sustainable improvements.

This will involve continuing to work closely with schools, early years settings, health and care partners, families and local communities, with success ultimately measured by the positive difference children and young people with SEND experience in their lives, education and future opportunities.