 Welcome to the Children, Young People and Learning (CYPL) SEND & Inclusion newsletter. This is a dedicated publication for professionals and parent carers who are champions of SEND in West Sussex.
Please share this newsletter with colleagues and parent carers. If you know of anyone who would like to be added to the distribution list, you can subscribe here.
As we move into the new academic year, we’re reviewing how we communicate with all our partners. A key part of this will be to review the audience for this newsletter. The current distribution list will close on 31 August. We will share more details on this in our next mailing.
Updates
- A message from Jacquie Russell Cabinet Member
- SEND & Inclusion Strategy
- Thriving in Education grant
- Administration of post-19 transport assistance for young adult learners with an EHCP
- Updated Short Breaks summary
- Autism All Ages Strategy: key findings from consultation
- The Disability Register
- SEND Stay and Play
Working with our partners
- West Sussex Parent Carer Forum
- Sussex Health & Care: SEND training, resources and information for practitioners in West Sussex
- Free online Disability Benefits webinars with the Citizen's Advice Bureau
- Survey about parent carer experience of using early years services
Spotlight
- Transitions in Education
- Specialist Advisory Teachers for Early Years SEND Transition (EYSATS)
- Transition to secondary school: Top Tips from our Specialist Advisory Teachers for Transition, Year 6 to Year 7
- Finding a job - new information on The Local Offer
- Moving from Children's Services to Adults Services in Social Care
Events
- SENCO Conference
- Parent Carer Events - "What can be done to support our children aged 4-11 at school"
You may have recently seen stories in the national and local press about the pressures on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services across the country, including here in West Sussex. These stories paint a difficult picture for families requiring SEND support, and I know that many families in the county are understandably feeling frustrated. The scale of the challenge we face at West Sussex County Council cannot be underestimated, and there are no easy solutions. However, we are not shying away from tackling these issues - and while there is still a long way to go, real progress is being made.
Steps in the right direction
Demand for SEND support in West Sussex is rising, needs are becoming more complex, and budget pressures continue to make the situation all the more difficult. But we are rising to these challenges. In our SEND Improvement Plan, launched in partnership with NHS Sussex in September 2024, we set out a framework for improving the quality of services for children with SEND. We’re already seeing areas of progress here, and we’re committed to making sure every child and young person with SEND gets the support they need to thrive.
Making EHCP Assessments Work Better
Since 2019, the number of Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) assessments we’ve completed has increased by over 60%, which shows how demand for support has grown and gives some idea of the kind of pressure on our services.
One of our main goals has been to improve the EHCP assessment process so families can get the right support when they need it, and we are seeing things getting better here. The latest figures show that more EHCP assessments are being completed, and they’re being processed faster. In December 2024 we had 9,254 children with a finalised EHCP, an increase of 1,565 since December 2023. I’d like to praise the hard work and dedication of our staff here, who continue to work exceptionally hard with children, families and schools to undertake assessments to create good quality plans. The number of assessments being carried out within 20 weeks is increasing month-on-month and the average number of weeks taken to complete an assessment is also reducing steadily.
These positive steps are the result of initiatives like better staff training and more streamlined processes; examples of our Improvement Plan in action. By making the system clearer and more efficient, we hope to build trust with families who rely on these essential services.
Expanding specialist education options
Another challenge is the increasing demand for specialist education in West Sussex, which is much higher than the national average. To help meet this demand, we’re working to increase SEND support in mainstream schools, giving them the tools and expertise to better support pupils with SEND. In some cases, special schools will work with mainstream schools to share their expertise, helping to create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment.
That said, we know that some children need the specialised support that only a special school or independent setting can provide and this will not change. Our priority is not to cut costs, but to always to do what’s best for each child.
Looking ahead: a new five-year SEND & Inclusion Strategy
As part of our long-term commitment to improving SEND services, we’re developing a new five-year Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) & Inclusion Strategy, launching in September 2025. This will set out our vision for SEND services in West Sussex and outline what needs to be done to achieve it. To make sure this strategy reflects the needs of the community, we asked residents to share their views by taking part in a consultation. You can read about the feedback from the survey in an article below.
Staying committed to improving SEND services
Like councils across the country, we’re facing increasing demand for SEND provision. While we’re encouraged by the progress so far, we know there’s still a lot more to do. Our commitment remains strong: every child and young person with SEND in West Sussex should get the support they need to reach their full potential.
We’re always looking at the best ways to tackle these challenges and make the most of our resources. This includes working closely with partners and driving change through initiatives like the Delivering Better Value Programme and the Department for Education’s SEND and Alternative Provision Change Programme.
Being open and honest with families is really important to us, which is why we’re making it easier for people to access key SEND data on our website. Keeping parents and carers informed and involved will help us build a stronger, more supportive SEND system together.
As we move forward with our SEND Improvement Plan, we remain focused on making real, positive changes that benefit children, young people, and families across West Sussex. By working together with partners, such as NHS Sussex and the Parent Carer Forum, we can create a system that delivers the high-quality support our SEND community needs and deserves, giving everybody the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
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We would like to extend our heartfelt thank you to those of you that supported and responded to our public SEND & Inclusion Strategy consultation in the Spring Term. In total, we had 318 responses to the survey questions, in which we asked for views and feedback on our proposed Vision, Principles and Priorities for the strategy.
Options for both quantitative and qualitative responses were available for participants to share their views, and we have spent a significant amount of time carefully reviewing each and every written response submitted. Due to the sheer number of responses, this has taken us a little longer than anticipated, as we really wanted to capture our stakeholders’ voices through the amendments made to the original proposals.
However, we are now happy to confirm that we have an agreed final version of the Vision, Principles and Priorities. Our partnership will now spend the next few weeks drafting the strategy content across 6 task and finish groups, based on our areas of expertise, to ensure that we can deliver the best possible outcomes for our children, young people and their families across West Sussex.
If you didn’t get a chance to share your views and thoughts during our most recent consultation, please do not worry, as there will be another opportunity to do so when we share our proposed draft strategy for a second consultation in the summer.
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Thriving in Education Grant
West Sussex County Council Education and Skills and Public Health departments are offering grants of up to £5000 to support schools and colleges throughout West Sussex to develop their whole setting approach to mental health and emotional wellbeing.
All schools and colleges in West Sussex are eligible to apply. Find out how to apply in this piece.
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Adults Services will be transferring the administration of post 19 transport assistance for young adult learners with an Education Health Care Plan to the Home to School Transport Team within Children, Young People and Learning Directorate with effect from 1 April 2025.
Anyone wishing to apply for this assistance can do so by completing the online application form available on our website. If anyone needs help in completing the form, the SEND Information, Advice and Support Service may be able to help via the helpline number 0845 075 1008.
Any applicant for whom travel assistance has been agreed must apply again each academic year. It should not be assumed that the same form of travel assistance will be agreed for a further year – each case will be considered against the policy applicable at the time of application. Travel assistance will not be withdrawn in an academic year, except where a programme of independent travel training has been completed successfully.
The new Short Breaks Statement 2025-2028 has now been published.
Short Breaks are clubs and activities tailored to the support needs of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The Statement sets out the Council’s Short Breaks offer, detailing:
- how the programme has been developed
- the different types of breaks
- eligibility criteria
- cost
- what families can expect from a Short Break
- details of universal services, the West Sussex Disability Register and other supports that are available for children/young people and their families
We have also produced a Summary Statement, which gives a brief overview of the programme.
We are grateful to the West Sussex Parent Carer Forum who have helped to update the documents and collaborated with us.
The Statement and Summary Statement can be found at the bottom of the Short Breaks page on the Local Offer Community activities and Short Breaks - West Sussex County Council
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We want to make West Sussex a better place for autistic people across all ages and for their families and carers. To achieve this, we are working together with autistic people and their families and carers to co-produce an autism strategy and plan. This will be an “all age” strategy and we are working together between adults services and children, young people and learning.
As a first step towards this, we undertook a consultation between October and December 2024. The consultation, included on-line surveys and workshops, focused on finding out how autism-friendly West Sussex is and gathering information about people's needs and quality of life. We used the findings and the input from people who came to our workshops in February 2025 to feed into developing a strategy. We are now drafting and developing the strategy over the next few months.
We have produced a report on the consultation findings which you can read about in this piece.
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Have you signed up to the Disability Register?
The West Sussex Disability Register is a database that collects information on those living with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) aged 0-25 in West Sussex and is managed by West Sussex Library Service. This information is used by West Sussex County Council and its partners to help plan and deliver services now and into the future.
Anyone aged 0-25 with a disability living in West Sussex can sign up and you do not need to have a diagnosis to sign up.
You can sign up online or the Disability Register team can speak to you over the phone to help complete the form. Those aged 13+ can self-register on their own or with the help of a parent or carer. We have a handy animation which helps explain what the register is which you can watch here.
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By joining the Register, you will:
- Help West Sussex County Council and our partners to plan and deliver services for now and in the future.
- Receive a monthly newsletter via email with local information and details of upcoming events and activities, including being the first to know about free SEND friendly activities in your local library.
- Have access to a Library card with additional concessions, such as free reservations and free audiobook loans, as well as access to a range of free sensory resources.
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Resources include free sensory stories, communication devices and switch adapted toys.
- Access to a Max Card – a discount card with local and national offers.
Get in touch with the Disability Register team if you have any questions:
Email: disabilityregister@westsussex.gov.uk
Phone: 0330 222 7725
We are also on socials! Follow us for up-to-date information and to be in the know about events and activities taking place in libraries across West Sussex.
Facebook: WestSussexLibraries Instagram: @westsussexlibraries X (Twitter): @WSCCLibraries
What is SEND Stay and Play?
Stay and Play is where young children can have fun in a secure, non-judgemental space where parent carers feel supported.
It is for children aged 2-5 with SEND: they do not need to have a diagnosis but need to be starting the process and waiting for a Child Development Centre (CDC) appointment. You can read more about it in this piece by Donna Brigden, SEND Stay and Play Co-ordinator.
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With longer days and fresh energy in the air, we’re excited for the season ahead!
Are you a member of the WSPCF?
Sign up today to receive our exclusive newsletter! Stay informed with updates, professional development opportunities, and insights into the support we offer to families.
Don't miss out - Become a Professional Member here
We also welcome any enquiries—if you need information or signposting for the families you work with, don’t hesitate to reach out to us on office@wspcf.org.uk We're here to help!
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You may start seeing the Together for Change logo on different documents and services. This means the document or service has been shaped with the help of our panel. It shows our commitment to working together and making a real difference for SEND families.
What is the Together for Change Panel?
It is a space where parent carers and professionals come together to share ideas, give feedback, and help make decisions. The panel focuses on improving services and making sure they truly meet the needs of families.
At the panel, we listen, learn, and take action. By working as a team, we can make real changes that have a positive impact on SEND services.
If you are a professional and have something you would like to bring to the panel or would like to attend as an observer, please email us at tfcpanel@wspcf.org.uk.
Here is a quote from someone who has submitted to the panel:
"Hearing the views of parent carers provides a balanced perspective on the next steps, ensuring we can make a greater impact on more families."
If you have any questions or would like to know more, please contact us on office@wspcf.org.uk. Or stay updated by heading over to our website, Facebook or Instagram.
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Citizen Advice in West Sussex is hosting regular advice webinars to help parents and carers of young people with disabilities, including Special Educational Needs (SEND), navigate the benefits system.
As a parent or carer of a young person with a disability it can be very hard to understand the benefits system and know what a young person is entitled to.
Support given to a child or young person is dependent on their needs and so Citizens Advice in West Sussex, in partnership with Aldingbourne Trust, is hosting a series of events to provide vital support and information.
These sessions will help people understand how to apply for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for those under 16 and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for people 16 or over.
The aim of the webinars is to give information about who is eligible for these benefits and learn more about how to the fill in the applications themselves. In addition, participants will also learn about other benefits which could be available to them.
Each webinar is a group session on Zoom, with no more than 20 people.
Please go to Citizen Advice website for all the information about when the events are and to book a place.
Healthwatch West Sussex is working with West Sussex County Council on a Lived Experience project. This is part of the Right From The Start Early Years and Childcare Strategy (2024-2027). We want to ensure that parents, carers and communities have a say in shaping local services.
We are asking parents and carers to complete a short survey about their experience of using early years services. Their feedback will help us understand what support is working well and what needs improvement. It will also help us track progress in 2027 to see how services have developed.
We would really appreciate if you could share this survey with families at your setting through your usual communications. The survey takes less than 15 minutes to complete and will close on Sunday 18 May 2025. Thank you for your help.
A child or young person will experience many transitions during their education journey. These changes may take place on a daily basis between their home and setting or between class and break. Other transitions occur less frequently, such as a change in school or year group.
The way in which transitions are managed is central to the child or young person’s development and emotional well-being. This will have a significant impact on the child’s or young person’s capacity to cope with change in the short and long term.
There is a wealth of information on Tools for Schools to help support successful transitions, which has recently been updated and reviewed:
 In this piece, you can read about the work of the EYSATS, a team managed by Jessica Bubb, which supports schools and settings to enable SEND children to experience a positive transition from home and/or pre-school Reception.
Moving from primary to secondary is a significant milestone for any child and their parent or carer.
In this piece, you can read about the work of the Specialist Advisory Teachers for Transition, Year 6 to Year 7. The article also includes some top tips for a successful transition.
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The Local Offer has refreshed its section on preparation for adulthood to include useful information on how to find employment. The pages on ‘preparing for and finding employment’ include information about support from Jobcentre Plus, apprenticeships, supported employment and further study.
The Local Offer website also links to Your Futures. Written for young people with SEND, the West Sussex, Brighton and Hove Careers Hub site ‘Your Futures’ explores different types of work, the skills needed, a salary guide and how to find a local job. It has links to live job adverts in each sector and is a helpful way to introduce the world of work to young people.
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A reminder to SENCOs to book their place at the 2025 West Sussex SENCO Conference, Inclusive Solutions, on 18 June 2025 at Butlins, Bognor Regis.
Tickets are on sale via West Sussex Services for Schools, priced at £120. This includes all refreshments for the day.
We are delighted that Kit Messenger will join us for a second year and will speak on From Fixer to Coach: A strengths-based approach to executive function.
You will be able to choose 2 out of the following 4 workshops in the afternoon:
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Relational Practice: why relational practice matters, and how it can be implemented within the 8 principles of a whole school approach, led by Fran Parker from the Educational Psychology Service
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Working with schools, a parent’s perspective: jointly led by Carina Reid and Sasha Slade from the Autism and Social Communication Team, with the West Sussex Parent Carer Forum
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Therapeutic Thinking, developing emotional literacy to support wellbeing and inclusion: a practical session exploring tools, resources and strategies to develop emotional literacy
Led by Kate Southgate and Nichola Atkinson from the Learning and Behaviour Advisory Team
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Introducing ENABLE: a solution-focused framework for individual and team coaching, for SENCOs to use with others in school, led by Clare Myall from the Educational Psychology Service
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As part of our Delivering Better Value Programme, we have a parent carer-led pilot to deliver four events to parent carers this summer term: two online, one for Under 11’s in Worthing and one for the Over 11’s in Crawley.
These will be an opportunity for parent carers to access clear and accessible information on the type of support that can be offered to their child if they have additional needs.
We have 2 expert speakers at the event, who will be sharing practical help, advice, and guidance for supporting children in the home and at school.
Refreshments will be available at our in-person events, along with a marketplace from other services in West Sussex, so that parents can find out more information about what support is available for their child locally.
We would appreciate schools sharing these event pages with their families, and encouraging them to book via the QR codes or links below, to secure their place at one of the events.
Details of the remaining events can be found here:
The Local Offer website is our gateway to SEND information for families and young people (0-25). Whether you have a diagnosis or not, visit the Local Offer website for:
- A directory of services, community groups and activities
- The SEND support you can expect from childcare and education settings
- Information about NHS SEND services, including assessments and support while you wait
- Signposting to financial support, including grants and benefits
- Help with navigating Education, Health and Care Assessments, Plans and Reviews
- Support for preparing for adulthood, employment, and transitioning to adult social care
Tools for School is where you will find resources and information to support the inclusion of all West Sussex children and young people in early years, schools, post 16 and other education settings.
The Family Information Service (FIS) is provided by West Sussex County Council. We offer free, impartial, up-to-date information to all families on childcare, as well as activities and services for 0-25 year olds.
As a council we are working together with our partners across education, health and social care, and importantly our families, to secure the best possible outcomes for all our children and young people. Here you will find more information about how we plan to improve our SEND services.
West Sussex SENDIAS, provides impartial information, advice and support to children and young people who have SEND (special educational needs and/ or disabilities) for those aged 0-25 and their parent carers.
Thriving in Education is where you will find support and information for children and young people's mental health and emotional wellbeing.
 Some of the services listed in this newsletter or on the Local Offer site are provided by private service providers and not by West Sussex County Council. These do not have a recommendation or endorsement from the local authority. If you decide to use a service / provision, you should be aware that you are responsible for doing your own checks to ensure they are suitable and fit for purpose. West Sussex County Council will not be liable for any damages or losses suffered by anyone who relies on the information in this newsletter.
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