The decision means Suffolk can now move forward with a new programme of reform designed to provide support earlier, strengthen inclusion in mainstream schools, and improve outcomes for children and young people across the county.
In addition, the Government has also agreed to write-off 90% of historic SEND debt in the county. This amounts to £148million.
Across England, local areas were invited to submit plans showing how they would reform SEND services in line with the Government’s national SEND reforms. Suffolk’s plan was developed by the Local Area SEND Partnership, which is made up of Suffolk County Council, NHS Norfolk and Suffolk Integrated Care Board, education providers, and parents and carers.
The approved plan sets out how Suffolk will work with schools, early years settings, colleges, health services and families to create a more inclusive system where children can access the right support at the right time, closer to home.
A major focus of the programme is helping more children and young people have their needs met successfully within their local mainstream school wherever appropriate.
The reforms will support schools to become more inclusive, strengthen staff confidence and capability, and improve access to specialist advice and support when it is needed. The ambition is to ensure that more children can thrive in their local school community, while still having access to specialist support where required.
The reforms will be delivered alongside Suffolk’s important SEND improvement work and will build on progress already underway across the county.
One example of the new reforms is Suffolk’s £2million investment in Inclusion Bases in mainstream schools. These bases will help schools intervene earlier, provide enhanced support for children with SEND and strengthen inclusive practice across the education system.
Sarah-Jane Smedmor, Executive Director of Children and Young People’s Services at Suffolk County Council, said:
“This is a really significant moment for Suffolk and an important vote of confidence in the direction we are taking.
“We know we have some way to go, but the Government are supportive of our plans.
“We want children and young people with SEND to get the right support earlier, in the right place and at the right time. That means working alongside schools to build a more inclusive education system where more children can have their needs met successfully within their local communities.
“We know families want support that is easier to access, more consistent and delivered earlier. This reform programme builds on the improvement work already underway across Suffolk and will help us create a system that is more responsive, more inclusive and focused on improving outcomes for children and young people.”
Ed Garratt OBE, Chief Executive, NHS Norfolk and Suffolk Integrated Care Board, said:
“This programme is about much more than services. It is about creating a system that works better for children, young people and families.
“Health, education and care partners all have a part to play in helping children thrive, and this programme gives us a stronger framework for working together around children and families.
“By identifying needs earlier, providing support closer to home and strengthening inclusion in local settings, we can improve experiences for families and deliver better outcomes for children and young people across Suffolk.
“The voices of children, young people and families will continue to shape this work as we move from planning into delivery.”
Suffolk’s latest financial position identified a cumulative Dedicated Schools Grant deficit of approximately £163.839million on 31 March 2026. The grant expected is projected at £147.455million.
