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 Families invited to be a part of the national conversation on SEND reform🗣️
Families and professionals in the East Riding are invited to be a part of the national conversation on SEND reform.
The Department for Education wants to hear views, experiences, and insights from as many people as possible over the coming months.
The national conversation encourages everyone from parents and carers to those working in schools, colleges, early years and health settings to get involved and help build a consensus on what works to help deliver lasting reform. Every voice will help shape the system for children and young people.
Councillor Victoria Aitken, cabinet member for children, families and education said: “I’d encourage people to feed into the conversation, to ensure the views and experiences of families, educators and experts inform the national reforms to SEND, and that the reforms are grounded in lived experience and practical insights.”
Five key principles are guiding the government’s approach to reform:
1. Early. Children should receive the support they need as soon as possible. Intervening upstream, including earlier in children’s lives when this can have most impact, will start to break the cycle of needs going unmet and getting worse.
2. Local. Children and young people with SEND should be able to learn at a school or college close to their home, alongside their peers, rather than travelling long distances from their family and community. Special schools should continue to play a vital role supporting those with the most complex needs.
3. Fair. Every school education setting should be resourced and able to meet common and predictable needs, including as they change over time, without parents having to fight to get support for their children. Where specialist provision is needed for children and young people in mainstream, special or alternative provision, we will ensure it is there, with clear legal requirements and safeguards for children and parents.
4. Effective. Reforms should be grounded in evidence, ensuring all education settings know where to go to find effective practice that has excellent long-term outcomes for children and young people.
5. Shared. Education, health and care services should work in partnership with local government, families, teachers, experts and representative bodies to deliver better experiences and outcomes for all our children and young people.
How you can get involved:
Join online events - Join Schools Minister Georgia Gould for a series of live online discussions with a panel of experts.
Tuesday 6 January, 6pm
Wednesday 14 January, 6pm
You can find out more and register here
Share your views online:
Contribute ideas and feedback directly through the online platform here
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 SEND Ofsted & CQC Inspection Outcome
Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission have published the outcome of the SEND Local Area Partnership inspection, showing clear improvement since 2021. Many areas now demonstrate good practice, including strengthened leadership, improved EHCP timeliness, stronger co-production with families, and better outcomes for pupils receiving SEND support.
The report highlights five priority areas for continued improvement:
- Reducing waiting times for key health services (ASD/ADHD, speech & language therapy, CBT)
- Improving SEND support outcomes
- Strengthening EHCP quality and consistency
- Enhancing short-break provision
- Further strengthening monitoring, governance, and oversight
Thank you for your ongoing support as we work together to deliver the best outcomes for children, young people, and families.
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 New Sufficiency Strategy Launched
Our Sufficiency Strategy 2025–2028 has officially launched following approval at Full Council on 12 November.
The strategy sets out how we will ensure there is enough provision to meet the needs of children and young people in their local communities. It reaffirms our legal duty and commitment to helping children and young people live, learn, and thrive in the East Riding.
What’s included?
- Mainstream education pathways
- Specialist education pathways
- Alternative provision
- Children and young people in our care
- Community provision
Developed over the past year with input from schools, council teams, and feedback from the SEND Big Listen, the strategy reflects real experiences and priorities. It will be updated annually, with a dedicated working group monitoring progress.
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 Skirlaugh Primary School creates inclusive learning spaces with ISACS funding
Skirlaugh Primary School has enhanced its learning environment to better support pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). With 27% of its 130 pupils identified as having SEND, the school secured £25,000 through the Inclusion and SEND Adjustments Capital Scheme (ISACS) to make improvements over the summer.
The funding enabled a new sensory room, expanded outdoor learning areas, and a specialist early years space, helping children with complex needs thrive in their local school.
Councillor Victoria Aitken said: “Already this year, three children who may not have been able to attend their local school can now do so thanks to these alterations.”
The funding was awarded through the Inclusion and SEND Adjustment Capital Scheme (ISACS), for mainstream schools to develop their space so that more pupils with SEND can achieve and thrive in mainstream schools.
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 Martongate Primary School opens Honeypot provision to support pupils
We now have 20 enhanced resource provisions (ERPs) in schools across the East Riding as part of our graduated response to SEND Sufficiency. Six of these have been established in academies, with the most recent, The Honeypot having been established at Martongate Primary School, Bridlington.
This dedicated resource is designed to offer specialised support for a small number of pupils with speech, language, and communication needs (SLCN) from Bridlington and the surrounding area.
The council has worked in partnership with Horizon Trust and Martongate Primary School on the development of the ERP.
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 Solihull Approach now rebranded to Togetherness
Earlier this year, with support from our family help team, we shared information about Inourplace, an online learning platform offering free, evidence-based courses in emotional health, relationships, child development and parenting, built on the Solihull Approach.
Now, the Solihull Approach and Inourplace are being rebranded under a new name: Togetherness.
What does this mean for our practitioners and parents?
Practitioners and parents will continue to be able to access the online learning and face-to-face training, now under the Togetherness brand. All resources and learning materials previously hosted on Inourplace will be still be available, but will be held on the new Togetherness website.
Watch this animation to learn more about the rebrand.
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 Free Christmas activities continue
During the Christmas holidays there are a host of free, fun, creative activities for children and young people receiving benefits related free school meals.
Activities include:
- Pantomime at Bridlington Spa (extra tickets released!)
- Ballers football camp
- Crafts and storytelling
- Festive family cookery
- Farm adventures
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 Thank you for helping us capture parent, carer and pupil voices around SEND 💖
Over the past term, our Local Offer team has been out and about visiting coffee mornings, drop-ins and community events to promote the new Local Offer website and gather feedback from families. It’s been fantastic to hear your thoughts, thank you to everyone who has taken the time to speak with us and share your experiences.
Your input has been invaluable in helping us understand what matters most to parents, carers and young people with SEND. These conversations are shaping improvements that make a real difference.
Alongside parent and carer feedback, we’ve also been capturing the views of children and young people using a short set of questions designed to help them share their experiences in a simple and accessible way. Hearing their voices is just as important, and we’re grateful to the schools and groups who have supported this work.
We’d like to give a big shout-out to Barnardo’s Disability Support and Inclusion (DSI) Service for welcoming us to some of your sessions, your support has been fantastic!
Looking ahead, we’d love to continue this work and attend any upcoming activity sessions, youth groups or community events where families and young people are present. If you’re involved in organising or supporting events like these, we’d really appreciate the opportunity to join you and connect.
 Have your say on SEND activities 💬
We’re inviting young people with SEND, and parents and carers of children aged five to 18 with SEND, to complete a short survey. Tell us what activities they or their children enjoy now and share their ideas for 2026. The feedback will help shape future opportunities in partnership with local organisations.
Complete the survey for a chance to win family tickets to Muddles Live at Bridlington Spa this summer.
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 Reduced Timetables – What you need to know
Do I have to agree to a reduced timetable?
If parents do not agree, the reduced timetable arrangements cannot be implemented, and a full-time timetable should remain in place. Parents should work with the school to explore other options and consult professionals or agencies. A reduced timetable is a short-term measure and should be considered in the best interest of the child.
What do I need to do if a reduced timetable has been suggested?
- Arrange a meeting with the school to discuss your child’s special educational needs and the difficulties preventing a full day.
- Check if your child is receiving SEN Support and whether strategies have been followed.
- Ask the school to outline reasons, current measures, and alternative interventions.
- Speak with your child about what support would help them.
- Agree what support can be provided and what measures will be in place during the reduced timetable.
- Request a written Reduced Timetable Plan with clear steps to return to full time.
Key points to clarify:
- Will your child be in class or need a quiet space?
- Will work be provided for home learning?
- Who is the named staff member for support?
- How will progress be monitored and hours increased?
My child has an EHCP and a reduced timetable has been suggested – what can I do?
Schools should involve the local authority to review and amend the EHCP where appropriate. Request an early review if needs have changed. Reduced provision must not negatively impact additional support.
What if my child has been on a reduced timetable for a long time?
A part-time timetable must not be treated as a long-term solution. If your child has been on a reduced timetable for longer than 6–8 weeks, ask for a meeting to discuss returning to full time, whether the local authority has been notified, and if specialist advice has been sought.
Consider:
Impact on exams, wellbeing, and safety. A risk assessment should be carried out.
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 Barnardo's services in our area - Bumble B's and Buzz Club Send Youth Groups
Barnardo’s offers two fantastic groups for children and young people with SEND who live in the East Riding:
Bumble B's inclusive groups:
- For children and young people aged five to 11 years and 12-18 years
- Held each Saturday
- Fun, inclusive sessions designed to support social skills, confidence, and friendship building.
Buzz Club SEND Youth Groups:
- For young people aged 12-18 years with disabilities and complex health needs
- Held during term time only
- Provides a safe, supportive space to connect, have fun, and build independence.
All sessions are welcoming and inclusive, and are run across our area.
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Best Start in Life – Support for Parents
The Best Start in Life website offers trusted advice and guidance for every stage of your child’s development, from pregnancy to starting school.
You can:
- Explore resources on health, childcare, and school readiness
- Sign up for emails and newsletters for tips and updates
- Check if your child’s school offers free breakfast clubs
- Use the childcare checker to find ways to save on early education
- Watch a short video on the role parents play in their child’s development.
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 Supported Internships – Recruitment Now Open for 2026 🚀
Supported internships are structured, work-based study programmes for young people aged 16–24 with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). They combine real workplace experience with employability skills and personalised support, helping young people move into paid employment.
Programmes are now recruiting for 2026/27.
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Upcoming Opportunities
DFN Project SEARCH at Humberside Police
Applications are open for the September 2026 intake. This one-year programme offers three workplace rotations within Humberside Police.
Download the leaflet
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Siemens Mobility Interest Event
Join us to learn more about DFN Project SEARCH at Siemens:
📍 RaisE Business Centre, Goole
📅 Thursday 29 January 2026
🕔 5pm–7pm
Download the flyer
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The annual SEND Preparing for Adulthood event is returning on Wednesday, 4 February, from 1pm to 6.30pm at the Mercure Hotel, Willerby.
This free, marketplace-style event is designed for young people with SEND aged 13+ and their families, offering advice and support around the transition to adulthood.
Download the event flyer
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 East Yorkshire Parent Carer Forum – December Newsletter
Catch up on the latest from East Yorkshire Parent Carer Forum:
- PINS Project – Supporting schools to be more inclusive for neurodiverse children.
- Upcoming Events – Workshops on the future of SEND, demand avoidant profiles, and more.
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 Free training to support SEND and Inclusion in early years
Early years settings, schools, and families across the East Riding have access to £750,000 worth of free inclusion training thanks to Dingley's Promise Comic Relief project.
This funded offer ends in June 2026, so sign up now to take full advantage of the training.
The training is designed to boost inclusive practice and help settings to evidence their commitment to inclusion, a key focus in the new Ofsted inspection framework.
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 Autism Seminars
The Communication and Interaction Specialist Team (CIS) is running another two seminars for parents and carers.
Autism and Anxiety, Thursday, 29 January | 10am–12.30pm
Autism and Emotional Regulation Thursday, 26 February | 10am–12.30pm
They will both be held in the Cameron Room, Keldmarsh Primary School, Beverley.
Cost: Free (booking required). Up to two places per family.
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New resources area 🗂️
 SEND and inclusion training offer - Autumn term 2025
Our latest training brochure is now available, offering a wide range of courses to support children and young people with SEND. The offer includes sessions for professionals, parents, and carers, delivered by the council and health colleagues.
Whether you’re looking to build your knowledge, develop practical strategies, or access specialist advice, there’s something for everyone.
An updated brochure for the spring term will be published soon.
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 Support for children feeling anxious about attending school
This resource - Tips for supporting children experiencing anxiety about school, including Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) - has been co-produced with parents and carers, the parent carer forum, and SEND collective voices.
It includes top tips for parents and carers, schools, and other professionals, and is intended to sit alongside the EBSA graduated approach document.
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 Healthy Minds in East Riding: Directory of Support
This interactive resource was co-produced by key partners who provide support for our children, young people, and families' emotional health and wellbeing.
It is for professionals and parents to help guide them towards the help and support available for children and young people.
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Let us know your website feedback💬
Your feedback matters. Every comment and suggestion helps us improve the Local Offer and shape the development of the new platform to better meet the needs of children, young people, and families with SEND.
📧 Share your thoughts: localoffer@eastriding.gov.uk
The Families Information Service Hub have no control over the nature, content and availability of the external sites linked to within this newsletter. The inclusion of any links does not imply a recommendation or endorsement of the views expressed within them.
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The next Local Offer Bulletin will be sent on Thursday, 8 January 2026.
If you would like to submit information, news or events for inclusion in the next bulletin, please email us BEFORE 12 NOON on Wednesday, 7 January.
(Please note submission does not guarantee inclusion).
Thank you.
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