The Kensington and Chelsea Family Services Select Committee met on Thursday, March 12, 2026, to discuss significant reforms impacting children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The committee received a briefing on government proposals, detailed in the White Paper 'Every Child Achieving and Thriving,' published on February 23rd, which aims to foster greater inclusion for children with SEND within their local schools.
The overarching vision is for every school to be truly inclusive, with children receiving more tailored support in their local setting. The government has outlined five key principles for reform: early intervention, local provision, fair distribution and accountability, effective evidence-based practice, and shared responsibility across education, health, and care sectors. The High Needs Stability grant will fund 90% of High Needs deficits, contingent on the approval of the reform plan.
Kensington and Chelsea's own SEND Strategy 2025-2030 aligns with these national principles, prioritising 'early identification, timely support and reducing waiting times.' The strategy also commits to strengthening co-production with families and expanding in-borough provision, with a dedicated Delivery Plan and governance through the SEND Executive Partnership Board.
The committee was asked to provide feedback on the council's preparations for these changes and to identify key priorities for the council's formal response to the White Paper. The council's response is expected to advocate for strengthened local flexibility and adequate funding to support these reforms, ensuring families receive timely and tailored assistance. Specifically, the council aims to amplify the views of residents and schools, emphasizing the need for earlier spotting of needs, quicker support, and simpler routes to help. Schools have highlighted that children thrive when support is joined-up, with external specialists making it easier for families and teachers to request help without long waits.
Discussions also touched upon the financial implications. While Kensington and Chelsea has made progress in reducing its cumulative SEND deficit to £3.5m as of March 2026, ongoing in-year pressures in 2025/26 are contributing to the deficit. Furthermore, a flat cash budget for 2026/27 is anticipated to put pressure on the capacity to deliver the proposed changes while meeting existing needs.
The government's principle of 'effective evidence-based practice' is reflected in the council's SEND Strategy. Kensington and Chelsea has rolled out support and specialist supervision for school SENCOs from their Educational Psychologists, based on feedback from schools during the SEND Strategy consultation, and seeks national reforms to support this direction.
Regarding 'shared responsibility,' the council's response to the White Paper will call for strengthening these principles so that families experience local schools and settings, and are able to understand and respond to children's barriers to learning and prepare them for adulthood. The White Paper must protect local flexibility and fund education, health, and care services to work together for consistent and reliable support. School leaders have also expressed concerns about workload pressures impacting wellbeing and the need for better support and resourcing.
