SEND strategy 2026 to 2030

A strategy co-produced with our local area SEND partnership.

We have co-produced the SEND strategy 2026 to 2030.

We want every child and young person with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND) to be supported, included and able to thrive.

Families have told us what they want:

  • clearer communication
  • earlier support
  • better access to services
  • a more joined up approach across education, health and social care

We have listened. This strategy shows the steps we will take over the next 4 years to improve experiences and outcomes.

Strategy document

You can read the summary below, or download the full document.

West Sussex SEND strategy 2026 to 2030 (PDF, 5.5MB)

If you need this document in any other format, email: localoffer@westsussex.gov.uk.

Co-production and commitment

Co-production - who we worked with

To co-produce the strategy, we worked with:

  • children and young people with SEND
  • parent carers
  • schools
  • early years settings
  • colleges
  • NHS Sussex
  • social care teams
  • voluntary sector
  • The West Sussex Parent Carer Forum (WSPCF)
  • West Sussex Young Voices
  • Together for Change Panel

The honest information from these experienced people was essential to producing the strategy. It has shaped our commitments and the actions we will take.

Our commitment

We will build a fairer and more inclusive SEND system by listening, caring and acting together.

A system where every child and young person feels like they belong, can achieve and look to the future with confidence.

Strategy principles and priorities

Principles of the strategy

The strategy has 5 principles. They show how we will work together as a partnership. These include:

  • taking a child or young person-centred approach
  • co-production
  • inclusion and accessibility
  • early intervention and prevention
  • strong multi-agency working

Key priorities

The strategy gives 6 key priorities that will help us deliver change. These are:

Getting the right support at the right time

Earlier help, clearer information and better access to services when families need them.

Inclusive education and smoother transitions

Helping children feel they belong in their school or setting. Giving well planned support at every stage.

Preparing for adulthood from an early age

Supporting young people to:

  • build independence
  • access their community
  • move into further education, employment or training

Smarter use of resources and responsive services

Designing services around what children and families say they need and planning for the future.

Improving emotional health and wellbeing

Making sure mental health support:

  • is easier to find
  • is easier to access
  • meets the needs of children and young people with SEND

Clear, respectful and consistent communication

Strengthening how we listen to families and how we share information, so everyone feels heard and understood.

Measuring progress

We will monitor progress to make sure we deliver real change. We will do this through the:

  • SEND & Alternative Provision Partnership Board
  • use of our co-produced SEND Outcomes Framework
  • West Sussex Parent Carer Forum (WSPCF) annual survey

This will help us understand whether children and young people feel safe, included, healthy, ambitious and increasingly independent.

We will also continue to listen to families through regular feedback. This will include ‘have your say’ events. These are run by WSPCF. We will and use this to support and guide future improvements.

We will also use our SEND Continuous Practice Improvement Plan (CPIP). This plan shows the work we need to do to achieve our priorities.