Welcome to the new-look SENDing you the news
We’re excited to bring you the latest edition of the Cheshire East 0–25 SEND Partnership newsletter — now with a fresh new look and even more helpful content.
Based on your feedback, we’ve relaunched the newsletter to make it more informative, engaging, and easier to navigate. You can now expect it in your inbox every half term, packed with updates, resources, and support.
If you’re new to the Cheshire East SEND community — or just need a quick refresher, check out the video below to hear from some of the key people leading positive change across the partnership.
We'll be shining a spotlight on other key contacts from within our SEND team, so keep a look out for further video introductions in future editions.
Have you read our updated SEND and AP
'One Plan' yet?
 Last month we launched our new SEND and AP 'One Plan' to ensure every child with SEND gets the support they need, when and where they need it, at the right place and at the right time.
The strategy was developed by the Cheshire East 0–25 SEND Partnership and sets out a clear vision to help children and young people with SEND thrive.
At the heart of the plan is a commitment to making sure all children with SEND are:
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Happy and Healthy
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Achieving their potential
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Part of their communities
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Independent as possible, making choices about their future
The strategy brings together key priorities into one plan, focusing on improving services, managing funding pressures, and acting on feedback from families and professionals.
Results from our annual survey
The 0-25 SEND Partnership recently conducted surveys to understand what is working well and what could be done to improve the experiences and outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
Detailed feedback was gathered from parents, carers, children, young people, education settings and wider partnership staff.
The surveys covered a range of topics including SEN Support, the education health and care needs assessment process and annual reviews.
We're pleased to share that we received a total of 652 responses across all four surveys. This is a 38% increase in total respondents compared to the surveys conducted in 2023, including more than three times the number of young people respondents.
The findings from the surveys have already been used to inform the priorities and development areas within the SEND Partnership’s SEND and AP ‘One Plan’ for 2025 -2028 and will continue to inform our work moving forwards.
Empowering young people with meaningful work experience
Since launching in 2019, our Supported Internship Scheme has been creating life-changing opportunities for young people aged 16–25. The initiative connects participants to meaningful employment opportunities, in the form of a work placement.
To be eligible, interns must have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Each intern is supported by a dedicated job coach, ensuring they receive tailored, on-the-job training and guidance to help them thrive in the workplace.
The scheme has played a vital role in supporting young people with learning disabilities and autism spectrum conditions—helping them grow in confidence, develop essential skills, and transition into paid employment.
We’re delighted to share that the Department for Education has extended funding for the scheme through the next financial year. This means even more young people with SEND will have the chance to benefit from this impactful programme.
Local employers such as Siemens, Crewe Hall, Waitrose, Belong, Macclesfield Hospital, and Everybody Health and Leisure have already partnered with us.
Watch our YouTube video featuring some of our past interns.
Inclusion is everyone's business
 A huge thank you to schools and the wider partnership for attending and participating in the Education Inclusion Strategy Development event which took place on Wednesday 11 June hosted by Sarah Clough, Inclusion Co-ordinator.
It was a well-received event where all stakeholders were able to contribute to the development of The Education Inclusion Strategy for Cheshire East. The QR codes that were used during the morning remained open until Friday 27 June as views continued to be gathered from a range of stakeholders. This feedback was collated and an updated co-produced draft strategy was finalised before going to the online consultation.
For those who have not made it to any of the engagement events, the opportunity to share your views on the updated one page strategy will be available through the online consultation which opens on the Monday 7 July.
The consultation results will be used to produce a final education inclusion strategy, which will be shared widely when finalised.
The next Inclusion Strategy event will be held during the morning of Friday 26 September – please hold the date in your diaries. Further details regarding booking will be sent out early in September.
SEND Local Offer LIVE!
Our SEND Local Offer Live Events offer a welcoming, face-to-face space for parents and carers to seek initial advice and signposting. |
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We are joined by a range of services and practitioners from across the SEND landscape who are part of the SEND Local Offer for Cheshire East. These events are free to attend, and no booking is required.
North Locality: Thursday 25th September 2025
2.30pm-4.30pm
Knutsford Academy
Bexton Road, Knutsford, WA16 0EA
South Locality: Thursday 25th September 2025
2.30pm-4.30pm
Underwood West Academy
Newcastle Street, Crewe, CW1 3LF
Our SEND JSNA has now been published
We have undertaken a review to understand people’s experiences of special educational needs and disability across Cheshire East.
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This work helps us to see where the gaps in support services are, while helping us to make better decisions to meet the needs of our residents.
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