We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part in the recent Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Consultations by responding or helping to facilitate focus groups or drop-in events. 

We are grateful to everyone who took the time to share their views on either the SEND Service Offer or SEND Home to School Transport consultation. During the 14-week consultation we have received over 400 responses via Ask Warwickshire, focus groups, online events and e-mail. All feedback from parents, carers, children and young people, professionals, schools, education settings and transport providers will now be considered and will help us to shape the services we deliver to improve SEND services for children, young people, and their families across Warwickshire.

The final decision about the Service Offer will be made by Warwickshire County Council’s Cabinet. If approved, the SEND and Inclusion Service Offer will be implemented from 1 September 2023.

If approved, the new SEND Home to School Transport application process would be implemented in time for parents/carers applying for a school place for September 2024; the Needs Assessment Matrix would be implemented in August 2023 and used to identify transport options for children and young people starting school in September 2023; and the changes to the policy will take effect from August 2023.

Children currently accessing home to school transport will not be immediately affected but will be reassessed under the new assessment matrix if they move educational settings or house after 1 August 2023.

We will continue to keep schools and settings updated on next steps and final decisions made by Cabinet via Heads Up and weekly headteachers' briefings. You can also follow the Local Offer Facebook page and subscribe to the Warwickshire SEND newsletter to ensure you receive the latest updates directly.