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Welcome to the latest edition of Shropshire's SEND newsletter, co-produced by Shropshire Council's SEND Local Offer, Shropshire's Parent Carer Council (PACC) and NHS Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin.
The newsletter aims to provide easy access to key information for SEND families.
Please do continue to provide feedback on this newsletter, we want this to work for you and we are keen to hear what you think of it, and what articles you'd like to see in future editions. You can email us your thoughts at Local.Offer@Shropshire.gov.uk
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There are two Meet and Chat SEND sessions coming up for parent carers of a child with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
Parent Carers can join us for an informal drop-in session where they can ask questions, get advice, and explore the support available to them within Shropshire. Speak to a range of professionals who can help with:
- Education, health, and Care Plans (EHCPs)
- School support and advocacy
- Health and Wellbeing for children with SEND
- Social care and family support
- Mental health and emotional wellbeing
- Advice for navigating SEND challenges
Each session will have different professionals available, but parent carers are encouraged to come along, have a chat, and find the help they need!
Visit the Family Information Service (FIS) directory for information on dates and venues.
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Kids Shropshire Universal Autism Support Service provides free, early intervention and person-centred support for families with autistic children and young people aged 0–19
No diagnosis is needed to access our services. We support families with neurodiverse children, including those with ADHD and PDA.
We hold regular training sessions, coffee mornings and family events.
We aim to:
- Improve understanding of autism
- Share practical support strategies
- Enhance emotional wellbeing and quality of life
To access the service complete a self-referral form which can be found on our web page, it is a quick and easy form: Shropshire Universal Autism Support Service - Kids you will also find information of our up and coming training and events. Once you have completed a referral form you will be sent a link to book a telephone appointment.
You can also be part of our community by following us on Facebook: Kids Shropshire Facebook Page
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A new model for children and young people’s emotional wellbeing, mental health and neurodevelopmental services is being launched in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin (STW) from 1 April 2026.
At its core:
- Emotional wellbeing and mental health services for CYP aged 0-25 and their families with ongoing support where needed for young people up until 25 years of age
- Neurodevelopmental assessments for children (autism for 5–18-year-olds, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) for 6–18-year-olds)
- Community Eating Disorder Services for 0–18-year-olds
Find out more about what’s changing in this guide.
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This year, Children's Mental Health Week 2026 will take place from 9-15 February 2026.
The theme for Children's Mental Health Week 2026 is 'This is My Place', and the aim is to support the systems around children and young people to help them feel they belong. Find out more about this national campaign here Place2Be's Children's Mental Health Week - Official site
Our Family Information Service has recently updated the information it holds on services and organisations that support children’s mental health. You can access this information on their directory Children's Mental Health list. If you know of others, please email ShropshireFIS@shropshire.gov.uk
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Shropshire Parent Carer Council (PACC) run monthly online info sessions for Parent Carers. These are relaxed sessions designed to help families learn more about the support and services available in Shropshire.
They were set up after families told PACC, through the Community Navigator Service, that they wanted clearer information.
So far, sessions have included:
- January: Direct Payments and moving from Children’s to Adult Services
- February: Mental Capacity (delivered by Carers Academy)
- Coming up: Supported Living, mediation and tribunals, and Annual Health Checks, finances and benefits.
The sessions are a great chance to hear directly from services, and understand what support is available. Everyone who attends will also get follow-up emails with useful info and guidance.
To find out more about the sessions, email Louise@paccshropshire.org.uk.
You can also sign up to PACC’s mailing list to keep up to date with future sessions and events here: https://forms.office.com/e/0EcLqQLgdQ
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The Parenting Help and Support Line are here for all parents, including those parent carers of children and young people with SEND, with a friendly listening ear and practical advice on everything from behaviours that challenge to sleep issues. No judgment, just support.
Call 01743 250950 Monday - Thursday, 9.30am - 4.30pm or Friday, 9.30am - 3.30pm or email: parenting.team@shropshire.gov.uk
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It’s fair to say that all parents from time to time need some help and support with issues that impact on family life. There is help and support available in Shropshire through our Early Help coffee and chat drop ins – some of which are also stay and play sessions.
You can get free Information, advice and support on all aspects of family life, at our Family Drop-Ins. You can chat, have a cuppa and see how we can help you with:
- Family life
- Parenting support
- Domestic abuse support
- Money worries
- Housing support
- Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
- and much more
To find your local drop in please visit the Shropshire Family Information Service Directory.
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The SEND Local Offer is a single place for information, services, and resources families of children and young people aged 0-25 with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
It's been designed with a family’s needs at the heart of the process.
Having access to good quality information to help you understand the world of SEND is really important when making decisions about your child's life. This is where websites such as the SEND Local Offer can really help.
The local offer has two main sections. The first is the information section, where systems and processes are explained, such as how to get extra help at nursery or school, or who to speak to if you're worried about your child's progress. This section will introduce you to services that might help your family, and help you to understand what support is available from a range of services across education, health and social care.
The second section is the service directory. This is a comprehensive list of services, clubs, support groups and businesses that might be of use to your family. It provides a brief introduction to what's offered and contact details so that you can find out more. There's also a feedback button for you to provide information about your experience of using a service, and a listing of events and activities that families supporting a young person with SEND might find of interest.
This video explains more about the SEND Local Offer.
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Our Family Information Service has been busy finding information on things to do and places to go for children and families during this February’s half term.
Have a look at their online directory to see what’s on for families in Shropshire Information to help families in Shropshire
Kids are also hosting a Rock! Music School and pizza making at the Youth Club
Shropshire teens are invited to join us at Belle Vue Youth Centre for a combined musical and baking experience. On Monday 16th February from 10:30am – 3:30pm
Rock & pizza youth club - Kids
Actio also have activities running through the school holidays for All In members. You can find out what’s available here Holiday Activities | Actio Consortium
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What is the Healthy Lives Programme?
PACC's Healthy Lives Holiday Programme is about supporting the physical and mental wellbeing of young people from the Shropshire SEND community, especially those from the Learning Disability and /or Autism communities. It is about making community-based activities accessible to this group, bringing together activity providers into one co-ordinated programme that offers meaningful opportunities to learn new skills, build confidence, make friends and get active.
Importantly it provides these opportunities during the school and college holidays, a time families tell us can be difficult, when young people miss their friends and routines, and Parent Carers sometimes struggle to balance the demands placed on them.
Who is the programme for?
The Healthy Lives Programme offers activities for 8-14 year old’s and 14-25 year old’s , over all school holidays , with an increased offer over Summer, offering all age family activities. Siblings are also able to attend some activities over Summer. The programme also offer peer support for Parent Carers whilst they are attending activities with their child/ young person.
Can children/ young people who need 1:1 support attend?
Young people who require 1:1 support are more than welcome to attend the programme. The programme does not provide 1:1 support , so a PA or Parent Carer will need to attend the sessions to support. The Healthy Lives programme is not suitable for children and young people requiring 2:1 or 3:1 support where behaviours that challenge are likely to occur when activities or the environment are not highly personalised. For children and young people whose needs are so complex that a very individualised environment , activities and approach to support is required to avoid the young person becoming distressed , PACC would suggest requesting a social care assessment to explore specialised support. If you need further information about this , please contact our Navigator Service.
Registration is now open for Easter. More information can be found here:
https://www.paccshropshire.org.uk/home/community-support/healthy-lives-holiday-programme/
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Targeted/Early Help Short Breaks: “All‑In” Programme
The council is partnering with Shrewsbury Town Football Club Foundation Trust to deliver a broader and more inclusive programme of activities for children with disabilities across Shropshire.
Importantly, as well as continuing with the kind of activities and events that have always been delivered by the All-In programme, the new service will be expanding its reach out across Shropshire – so look out for opportunities close to you.
The Shrewsbury Town Football Club Foundation Trust have considerable experience in designing and delivering fully inclusive activities for children and young people and already deliver services for children and young people in community venues throughout Shropshire.
The programme will build on existing partnerships and follow the Shropshire SEND outcomes framework, focusing on:
- Accessibility – inclusive community venues
- Independence – activities that build confidence and problem‑solving skills
- Social Connection – reducing isolation and building friendships
- Preparing for Adulthood – life skills, volunteering and leadership pathways
- Co‑production – ongoing consultation with families
- Flexibility – after‑school, weekend, and holiday options
Children must be registered with All‑In to access these opportunities.
For more information, please visit the Shropshire SEND Local Offer: You can apply to be a member here The All In Programme | Shropshire Council
Specialist Overnight Short Breaks: Bradbury House
The council, Shaftesbury, and Action for Children are working closely to ensure a smooth transition of the service to Shaftesbury from 1 April. Existing staff will transfer to Shaftesbury, ensuring continuity of care. Shaftesbury has been engaging regularly with the staff team since November and has issued monthly newsletters to parents/carers introducing the service and key staff.
From February, Shaftesbury will hold in‑person and online drop‑in sessions for families
Specialist Community-Based Short Breaks (Term-Time)
Shropshire Council is pleased to announce that the contract for the provision of Community Short Breaks for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) will remain with current provider Action for Children for a further three years.
This term time short breaks service will offer regular, planned activities, groups, and events for children and young people with SEND who require short breaks as part of their assessed need.
There’s more information about it on Shropshire Council’s newsroom
Shropshire Council announces continuation of Community Short Breaks contract with Action for Children - Shropshire Council Newsroom
Specialist Holiday Club
The contract for April–September 2026 is currently out to tender, with an award expected in late February. Delivery will begin over the Easter holidays.
During this 6‑month period, the council will review longer-term delivery options. Engagement with parent carers, children and young people will be central to this process. If you would like to join a focus group, please let us know.
Specialist Family-Based Care Short Breaks (Part-Time Fostering)
The council is working with Telford & Wrekin Council and Barnardo’s to develop a new overnight family‑based short break service. This will add to, not replace, support available at Bradbury House. Further updates will be shared as development progresses.
Home-Based Care (Domiciliary Care)
Work is underway to establish a framework of experienced providers to deliver Home-Based Care from April. Updates will be shared as the work develops.
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NSPCC Learning has updated its resources on navigating puberty and sexual development for children and young people who have a learning disability.
The resources include a guide for parents on navigating puberty, and a series of symbolised booklets exploring bodies and behaviours.
New content includes a guide for parents and carers on humping and thrusting behaviour to help them understand and respond to this behaviour in a supportive, non-shaming and proactive way.
Access the resources: Navigating puberty and sexual development
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Children’s brains develop fastest in the first 5 years of life. During this time speech, language and communication skills are being developed as the brain forms, so every interaction counts. Making eye contact, sharing smiles and talking to your child is important to help brain development.
However, screens are becoming a huge part of many children’s lives and using a screen for too long can stop this brain development. So, what do we mean by too long? And how can we think differently? Click on these links to find out more:
12_Sept__EY_thrive.pdf
©Combined_Poster.pdf
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Moving up to secondary (Year 6): quick help for families
If your child has an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, the legal timescale for naming the secondary school in the final plan is 15 February in the year of transfer. If a plan isn’t final by then, the team keeps working on it and will update you. This year, National Offer Day is Monday 2 March 2026 (because 1 March is a Sunday). Children with an EHC plan won’t get a separate admissions offer that day: their school is the one named in the final plan.
What you can do now
- Talk with your school’s SENCO (special educational needs co‑ordinator) about transition plans: visits, a pupil passport, and any reasonable adjustments your child may need.
- Use our transition and timetabling checklists to plan what to ask and when.
- Read the Parent‑Carer Transitions guide from PACC for practical tips.
If your child does not have an EHC plan (SEN Support) Most children are supported at SEN Support. The same transition steps above still help.
Worry or anxiety about school? Some children feel very anxious about attending (sometimes called emotionally based school avoidance). Our local psychology service has down‑to‑earth strategies you can try with school: See ideas and templates.
Travel to school Transport – key dates to expect: Last year, mainstream applications were due 31 May, and SEND travel assistance applications were due 30 June. We’ll confirm this year’s dates and how to apply closer to the time.
Find out what help may be available (including how to apply and appeal): Local Offer: travel and transport.
PACC also has a handy summary: PACC transport info.
Need impartial information or support? SENDIASS Shropshire Email: iass@cabshropshire.org.uk | Phone: 01743 280019
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We know this time of year can feel stressful. If your child is in Year 6 and has an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, here’s what to expect and where to get help.
- For Year 6 → Year 7, the legal timescale is 15 February 2026. Where a plan is not yet final by that date, we will continue to prioritise remaining plans and keep you updated.
- National Offer Day for secondary this year falls on Monday 2 March 2026 (because 1 March is a Sunday). Children with an EHC plan do not receive a separate admissions offer that day: their placement is the school named in Section I of the final EHC plan.
If your child’s final EHC plan already names a secondary school
- That is your child’s school for September 2026. You will not receive another confirmation from the Admissions Team on National Offer Day.
- Your current primary school and the new school will work with you to plan a supportive transition (visits, handover of information, reasonable adjustments).
If your child’s final EHC plan is not yet issued
- Your child’s plan is being prioritised by our EHC plan team. We will continue working beyond 15 February where needed until the final plan is issued.
- For day-to-day support or transition activities, please speak with your school’s SENCO (Special Educational Needs Co‑ordinator) first.
- If you need to contact the EHC Plan Team after 15 February, please note this is during half term and we will have fewer staff available. If your query is urgent, please call 01743 254267 on Monday 16 February 2026 only, when case officers will make themselves available if required. For non-urgent queries, please email your named case officer directly.
Your choices and rights
- You can request a particular school. We will consult with that school and must name it in the plan unless one of the specific legal exceptions applies (for example, if it would be unsuitable for your child’s needs, incompatible with the efficient education of others, or the efficient use of resources). If you disagree with the school named in the final plan, your plan letter explains mediation and appeal routes.
What you can do now
- Keep in touch with your SENCO about transition planning.
- Make sure we have your current contact details.
- Look at transition resources and practical tips below.
Helpful information and support
FAQ
What if we move house before September?
Please update your school and the EHC Plan Team with your new address as soon as possible. This helps us and the new school plan effectively for transition.
How does school transport work?
Transport is a separate process and depends on individual eligibility. You can find information on the Local Offer: https://next.shropshire.gov.uk/the-send-local-offer/travel-and-transport/introduction-to-schoolcollege-transport/
What if I disagree with the school named in the plan?
When the final plan is issued, your letter explains mediation and appeal options. SENDIASS can offer impartial advice if you’re unsure what to do next.
What can we do to help the transition?
Speak with your SENCO about visits, a pupil profile/passport, and any reasonable adjustments your child might need. Share what works well at primary so it can be built into planning.
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Language is more than words — it reflects our values and shapes identity. For neurodivergent children and young people, the language used around them can either help them feel included and respected or cause them to feel excluded and stigmatised.
Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin's Neurodiversity Workstream advocates the use of neuro-affirmative language — language that's respectful, inclusive and supports an individual’s right to be themselves without pressure to ‘conform’ to neurotypical expectations. The Neuro-Affirming Language Guide has been produced to help create environments where neurodivergent children and young people feel seen, heard, and valued.
As parent carers please share this guide with those supporting your child
This guide is for everyone. When we change our language, we change lives.
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Join this free webinar with Kerry Mulgrew, Occupational Therapist, as she shares practical, evidence-based strategies to understand the links, spot patterns, and discover practical strategies to support your child’s wellbeing through hormonal changes.
Date: Wednesday 11th February Time: 10am - 11am
Free to attend
In this webinar, Kerry will share:
- How hormones influence ADHD behaviours and emotional regulation across developmental stages
- Insights into neurodivergent brains and bodies, helping you anticipate challenges during hormonal changes
- Practical strategies that help children thrive during periods of hormonal fluctuation
To register for a place please click here Neurodivergent Brains & Bodies: How Hormones Impact ADHD
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Learn about Autism, ADHD, and PDA in children, explore key traits and challenges, and gain insights from practitioners with professional and lived experience.
This a free workshop designed for parent carers in Shropshire.
Tuesday 3rd March 2026 from 10:00am-11:30am
Group video call on Teams
Free to attend
To register for a place please click here Shropshire Archives - Kids
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Struggling with bedtime battles, night waking's or early mornings? Join this free webinar with Helen Rutherford, Specialist Sleep Practitioner from The Sleep Charity for practical strategies and advice to support and improve your child's sleep.
Date: Friday 13th March Time: 10am - 11am
Free to attend
In this webinar, Helen will share:
Why our children find it harder to sleep compared to their neurotypical peers
What happens when we sleep and how we can use researched and evidence based knowledge to improve our night times
Top tips and strategies for you to take away using your new knowledge
To register for a place please click here ADHD & Autism Sleep Challenges: Practical Help For Tired Parents
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As the statutory phase transfer deadline of 15th February 2026 is getting closer, we acknowledge that this can be an incredibly anxious time for Year 6 (Y6) pupils, their families and for staff at their current Primary School. Whilst the EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) Team have been working exceptionally hard to amend as many Y6 EHC plans as possible, we have unfortunately not been able to finalise as many as we would have like naming an appropriate secondary provision from September 2026.
We would like to communicate the following information in support of this process and provide some reassurances to families and existing Primary Schools:
https://next.shropshire.gov.uk/the-send-local-offer/news/phase-transfers-update-january-2026/
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Children’s Occupational Therapy (OT) and Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) services have a waiting time tracker on their websites which help in letting people know how long the current waiting time is.
See the Children's Occupational Therapy web page. For OT this is the average waiting time across all our pathways, for SLT it is an average of the 3 longest waiting pathways.
See the Speech & language therapy web page. We recently found out the SLT tracker had not been working effectively. That problem has now been fixed.
The Child Development Centre’s (CDC) waiting time tracker for the 0-5 ASD assessment pathways is due to go live this month, and will be found here on Child Development Centres in Shropshire and in Telford and Wrekin web page.
The Physiotherapy, SLT and CDC ASD assessment team are working hard to reduce waiting times. There are now 0 children and young people on any of the pathways in these services waiting more than 52 weeks.
There is still a long way to go to bring waiting times down to our target, which is 18 weeks. Children and young people in high priority groups, for example where there are high or very high risks, are importantly seen more urgently. The children’s OT team is meeting the target of 18 weeks and is working hard to reduce this to 12 weeks.
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For the second-year running, Shropshire Parent Carer Council (PACC) has been working with primary schools across Shropshire as part of the PINS project (Partnership for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools). The project began with twenty schools last year and has now grown to include fifteen more.
PINS is funded by the Department for Education through NHS England. The aim is simple: to bring health professionals, education specialists and parent carers together to help schools become more confident and inclusive in supporting neurodivergent children.
What PINS is helping schools to do
- Strengthen their whole‑school SEND provision
- Put early support in place before needs escalate
- Build staff confidence and skills
- Improve communication and relationships with parent carers
- Create calmer, more supportive learning environments for all children
The focus is on understanding children’s needs and making sure the school environment works for them, rather than expecting children to “fit in” without support.
How schools have been supported
Each school started by completing a SEND audit to identify what’s working well and what could be improved. They then received five days of tailored support in their priority areas, plus access to training on topics such as:
- Sensory needs and physical environments
- Neurodevelopmental learning styles
- Mental health and wellbeing
- Behaviour as communication
- Parent carer engagement
- Autism and anxiety
- Food sensitivities
- DLD (Developmental Language Disorder)
- Barriers to learning
The role of parent carers
Parent carers have been at the heart of the project. Each school hosted three in‑person meetings with PACC, giving parents the chance to share their experiences and talk about what works — and what doesn’t. These conversations have directly shaped school training and development.
PACC also runs closed Facebook groups for each school so parent carers can access information, advice and peer support.
Year 2: Co‑production with parents
The original twenty schools are now focusing on co‑production — working with parent carers to make meaningful changes. Each school has chosen a project to work on together, such as:
- Inclusive uniform policies
- Improving school reports and pupil profiles
- Better communication with parent carers
- Supporting transitions
- Understanding anxiety and masking
- Strengthening parent involvement in learning
Schools attended a co‑production workshop with PACC and then had one‑to‑one sessions to plan their projects. This term, PACC is visiting each school to meet with SENDCOs and parent carers as a working group. Schools have responded very positively, and many plan to continue this approach long‑term.
What happens next?
Although PINS funding ends in March, the impact has been clear: stronger relationships between schools and families, better understanding of children’s needs, and more positive experiences for pupils.
More information about PACC can be found here: www.paccshropshire.org.uk
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Following the re-launch of the Preparation for Adulthood workstream during the Autumn Term 2025 a workshop to set out priorities to focus our areas for development for the next 12 months took place on 20th November. This was a multi-agency workshop which was attended by representatives from Children’s Social Care, Adult Social Care, Education, Health, PACC, SENDIASS and the Local Authority Commissioning Team.
The five key outcomes identified at the workshop were:
- To support children and young people post 16 including supported internships and Preparation for Adulthood
- To map out a pathway for 14+ for EHCPs
- Transition meetings with both children’s and adult services
- Annual Review documents at year 9 to include PFA
- PFA focussed Early Help SEND drop in sessions
An over-arching priority is for the workstream to review the Local Offer content around transitions between children’s and adult services across the SEND partnership and communicating any changes and updates to information or any new content via social media platforms.
As progress is made the workstream will share this with the SEND community.
If you would like your voice to be included in this workstream please contact the Shropshire Parent Carer Council (PACC) who attend to represent the views of the SEND community.
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This newly formed workstream focuses on developing a strong, inclusive, and high‑quality local education system in Shropshire that meets the needs of children and young people with SEND within mainstream settings.
The workstream are developing intended outcomes and activity but currently the overall aims are as follows:
1. Develop high‑quality inclusive provision across the system.
2. Establish a sustainable Local Inclusion Support Offer (LISO).
3. Build a coherent training and CPD offer.
4. Provide high‑quality advice and guidance.
5. Deliver targeted, needs‑led direct support.
6. Ensure readiness for SEND reforms.
Further detail will follow in the upcoming weeks and months, including opportunities for Parent Carers and Children and Young People to have their say in shaping the inclusion support offer in Shropshire.
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The SEND and AP Change Programme is entering its final few months and we continue to deliver a range of projects and feed information back to the DfE regarding their effectiveness and impact. The programme is finishing fully at the end of August but we are planning how to link existing work with the SEND White paper when it is published, hopefully in February.
Details of key projects currently running can be found on the Local Offer Change Programme pages: SEND and AP Change Programme | Shropshire Council
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