Kingston Council's SEND Futures Plan is showing promising results, with a significant increase in the timeliness of annual reviews for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The plan has seen 72% of decisions now made within four weeks, a notable jump from 57% in 2025.
This improvement is largely attributed to the introduction of Annual Review dashboards in March 2026, which empower schools to proactively track upcoming meetings. The SEND service is also enhancing its oversight and collaborating with schools, as they play a crucial role in completing and submitting annual review paperwork. Data analysis is being used to identify effective processes and target areas needing improvement. Furthermore, contractual arrangements with independent schools are being refined to clarify expectations.
The People Committee received an update on the SEND Futures Plan, which aims to enhance local services and support for children with SEND. The plan incorporates the Local Area SEND Reform Plan, which was submitted to the Department for Education on 19 June 2026. The Department is expected to assess these plans by the end of September 2026, with a positive assessment anticipated to release payment of the High Needs Stability Grant in Autumn 2026.
Despite these advancements, challenges persist. Workforce shortages remain a key risk, particularly for specialist therapy roles required for the Specialist Expertise at Hand model. Achieving for Children is collaborating with NHS South West London Integrated Care Board (ICB) and health providers to secure workforce arrangements for delivery from Autumn 2026. The ICB and health providers are facing a serious NHS budget situation, which is increasing pressure on schools and local authority services. The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) currently has a cumulative deficit of £20.540m as of 31 March 2026, though the High Needs Stability Grant is expected to cover up to 90% of this. The projected deficit for 2026/27 is £18 million, indicating ongoing financial strain.
Improvements have also been observed in reducing waiting times for autism and ADHD assessments. The transfer of Tier 2 CAMHS to South West London St George's Mental Health Trust is complete. Independent provider Xyla has been commissioned to help reduce waiting lists for those experiencing the longest waits.
Feasibility studies are progressing for new Specialist Inclusion Bases at The Kingston Academy and Richard Challoner Catholic Secondary School. The provision at Richard Challoner has received approval from the Council's Education Capital Board and is moving into the detailed design phase. A business case for The Kingston Academy provision will be presented to the Education Capital Board this summer. Projected opening dates and specific capacities for these new bases are not yet available.
The committee also highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen inclusion, improve access to local placements and specialist support, enhance system leadership and partnership collaboration, and foster inclusive cultures and behaviours. Further details on the committee's discussions can be found in the Public reports pack.