 Inside this edition
1. All Means All Inclusion Plan
2. All Means All SEND and Inclusion Strategy
3. SEND performance and Education, Health and Care Plan pressures
4. Changes to the Over 5s Autism Assessment Pathway in Wolverhampton
All Means All Inclusion Plan - Delivering the SEND Reforms in Wolverhampton
The All Means All Inclusion Plan is Wolverhampton's local response to the SEND Reforms. It brings together partners from local authority, education, health and community groups to create a more inclusive, coordinated system that enables children and young people with SEND to receive the right support at the right time.
The programme focuses on improving outcomes, strengthening inclusion and delivering support consistently through partnership working across the city
The programme is overseen by a multi-agency Steering Group, which provides strategic direction, governance and oversight. Delivery is coordinated through four key workstreams and five sub-groups, each focusing on a different aspect of the SEND reform and supporting the implementation of the All Means All Inclusion Plan.
The four workstreams are set out below, along with an overview of their key areas of focus and priorities within the All Means All Inclusion Plan.
Workstream 1: Strengthening Inclusion Across Education Settings
Creating one inclusive education system for Wolverhampton
This workstream focuses on ensuring that all education settings are equipped to meet the needs of children and young people through inclusive practice and early support.
Key Priorities
- Developing a consistent graduated approach across all settings.
- Improving early identification of need.
- Developing and embedding a Universal Offer to ensure consistent support is available regardless of education setting.
- Strengthening transitions between phases of education.
- Building a confident and skilled workforce that can effectively meet SEND needs.
Workstream 2: Access to Specialist Support & Local Placements
Ensuring children and young people receive the right support at the right time
This workstream focuses on improving how children, young people and families access advice, support and specialist services.
Key Priorities
- Developing clearer routes to specialist advice and support.
- Increasing early intervention and prevention.
- Expanding local provision to ensure children and young people can access appropriate support closer to home.
- Improving access to support for children, young people and families.
- Developing the Experts at Hand model and wider outreach support.
Workstream 3: Encouraging Inclusive Culture & Behaviours
Embedding inclusion and driving system-wide improvement
This workstream aims to create a culture where inclusion is everyone's responsibility and improvement is informed by evidence, data and lived experience.
Key Priorities
- Embedding inclusion across all services and partner organisations.
- Using data, intelligence and lived experience to inform decision-making.
- Strengthening performance monitoring and oversight.
- Ensuring staff have access to the information, tools and development opportunities needed to confidently support inclusive practice.
- Supporting continuous learning and improvement across the system.
Workstream 4: Co-production
Working with children, young people, and families to shape services
This workstream ensures that children, young people, and families play an active role in designing, developing and improving SEND services.
Key Priorities
- Embedding co-production within governance arrangements.
- Increasing opportunities for participation and engagement.
- Ensuring lived experience influences decision-making.
- Developing co-production standards, tools, and guidance.
- Reviewing and improving practice based on feedback from families and partners.
What Has Happened So Far?
The programme is still in its early stages, with recent months focused on establishing the foundations required for long-term success. Governance arrangements have been put in place, priority areas have been agreed, and partners from across education, health and social care have come together to shape the programme's direction.
With these foundations now established, workstreams are beginning to move from planning into delivery, with dedicated groups progressing key actions and developing solutions that will support the implementation of the SEND Reforms across Wolverhampton.
Getting Involved
Over recent weeks, communications have been shared to increase awareness of the programme and encourage wider participation.
For further information about the All Means All Inclusion Plan, the SEND Reforms, and opportunities to get involved, please visit https://www.localofferwolves.co.uk/about/policy-strategy-guidance/delivering-send-reforms-wolverhampton.
All Means All SEND and Inclusion Strategy
 The consultation for Wolverhampton's new All Means All SEND and Inclusion Strategy 2027-2029 is now open and we would encourage all partners to take part.
The strategy will set out our shared vision and priorities for improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND across education, health and care over the next three years. Feedback from professionals, families, children and young people will help ensure the final strategy reflects local needs and ambitions.
Consultation period: 29 September to 9 November 2026
The draft strategy and consultation questionnaire can be accessed via the Consultation Hub:
A range of engagement opportunities are available throughout the consultation period. Details of these events can be found on the Local Offer website:
Please share this opportunity with your networks and encourage colleagues, families and young people to have their say. Together we can help shape the future of SEND and Inclusion services in Wolverhampton.
SEND performance and Education, Health and Care Plan pressures
On 9 September 2026, the SEND and Inclusion Partnership Board reviewed the latest position on Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) in Wolverhampton.
Demand for EHCPs continues to increase, although Wolverhampton remains below comparator averages for overall prevalence and growth. The main challenge is completing new plans within the statutory 20-week timescale. Recovery work is under way to increase capacity, strengthen oversight and reduce delays across the assessment process, including the receipt of professional advice.
Performance in completing annual reviews remains comparatively strong, but further improvement is needed to ensure families receive review decisions promptly.
The Board supported a continued partnership focus on improving timeliness and understanding the impact of rising demand.
Future reporting will provide a broader view of placement patterns, children and young people’s needs, benchmarking and forecast demand. Performance information will also be considered alongside feedback from children, young people and families to provide a fuller picture of their experiences and the impact of service improvements.
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Changes to the Over 5s Autism Assessment Pathway in Wolverhampton
From 1 August 2026, the pathway for children and young people aged 5 years and over who are seeking an autism assessment has changed in Wolverhampton. Specialist CAMHS will continue to support children and young people with significant mental health needs, including those where mental health difficulties are associated with neurodivergence. However, CAMHS will no longer routinely accept referrals that are solely for an autism assessment where there is no specialist mental health need.
Children and young people who require an autism assessment without a co-occurring specialist mental health need should be referred through the NHS Right to Choose pathway. This allows families to choose an approved provider for their child's assessment.
For ADHD assessments in Wolverhampton, referrals can continue to be made through Community Paediatrics or the Right to Choose pathway.
The changes aim to ensure children and young people receive the right support from the right service, while enabling Specialist CAMHS to focus on those requiring specialist mental health assessment and treatment.
Overview of pathway
CAMHS over 5 neurodivergent pathway update for Wolverhampton and Sandwell :: Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Further information about the RTC pathway and providers is available on the Black Country ICB website via the link: Right to Choose referrals for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) :: Black Country ICB.
Related news
For information about what’s on, information, awareness raising, sessions, activities and local support please see news from the following trusted sources:
Wolverhampton Local Offer
Latest News - Wolverhampton Young Opportunities (yowolves.co.uk)
WIASS E-Bulletins
Wolverhampton Voluntary and Community Action
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