Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Children and Young People

Forward Plan Ref: 2026/107

Key decision

Contact: Anna Jennings, Head of Transformation

Anna.Jennings@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Report by Director of Children’s Services (CA8)

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to

a)    Approve the draft special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reform plan for Oxfordshire to support submission to the Department of Education by 19^th June.

b)    Delegate authority for delivery of the SEND reform plan, subject to business cases and appropriate governance for specific initiatives, to the Director of Children’s Services and the Section 151 Officer, overseen by the SEND Executive and Local Area Partnership.

c)    Delegate authority to the Director of Children’s Services and the Section 151 Officer to make any necessary minor amendments to the SEND reform plan prior to the final submission deadline to the Department of Education.

d)    Delegate authority to the Director of Children’s Services and the Section 151 Officer to utilise Year 1 of the Experts at Hand Department of Education grant in line with the direction outlined in this report. This will include recruitment of roles required and through procuring external services in accordance with the grant conditions and Procurement Regulations 2024

Recommendations approved.

Cabinet had before it a report which gave details of the Council’s draft Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) reform plan, which needed be submitted to the Department for Education by 19 June 2026. The plan aimed to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND while addressing financial sustainability, particularly the Dedicated Schools Grant deficit.

Councillor Sean Gaul, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, presented the report. He thanked officers in the Children’s Services for their hard work in producing the SEND Reform Plan.

Members noted that the plan focused on strengthening early intervention, increasing inclusion within mainstream settings and reducing reliance on Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). The development of the plan had involved engagement with education and health partners, as well as parent carer representatives, and would be subject to regular review. It was further noted that delivery arrangements included delegated authority for implementation and minor amendments, supported by established governance structures.

Councillor Gaul moved and Councillor Gegory seconded the recommendations and they were approved.

RESOLVED to:-

a)    Approve the draft special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reform plan for Oxfordshire to support submission to the Department of Education by 19^th June.

b)    Delegate authority for delivery of the SEND reform plan, subject to business cases and appropriate governance for specific initiatives, to the Director of Children’s Services and the Section 151 Officer, overseen by the SEND Executive and Local Area Partnership.

c)    Delegate authority to the Director of Children’s Services and the Section 151 Officer to make any necessary minor amendments to the SEND reform plan prior to the final submission deadline to the Department of Education.

d)    Delegate authority to the Director of Children’s Services and the Section 151 Officer to utilise Year 1 of the Experts at Hand Department of Education grant in line with the direction outlined in this report. This will include recruitment of roles required and through procuring external services in accordance with the grant conditions and Procurement Regulations 2024