Local SEND Reform Plans · 40 documents asked · 39 answered · 1 not stated · run 11 September 2026
What does this council commit to on early years and identifying children's needs before they start school, and what specific actions, tools or targets does it name?
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Ask for a surveyAlmost every council ties early identification to the national Best Start in Life agenda and Family Hubs, treating these as the "front door" for spotting needs before school. Most also name Experts at Hand (EAH) as the multi-disciplinary model reaching into early years settings, and many recruit or plan Best Start Inclusion Practitioners to work across hubs and nurseries. This shared framework appears in Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole, Brighton and Hove, Bromley, Bury, Cambridgeshire, Cornwall, East Sussex, Hounslow, Norfolk, Oxfordshire, Reading, Shropshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Wirral, Worcestershire, Barnsley, Bristol, Cumberland, Durham, Harrow, Hertfordshire, Isle of Wight, North Northamptonshire, Nottingham, Rochdale, Slough, Somerset, South Tyneside, Staffordshire, Wigan and Wolverhampton.
Hackney and Kingston/Richmond stand out for building detailed digital or data infrastructure: Hackney's Qlik dashboard integrating two-year checks and PVI caseloads, and Kingston/Richmond's shared "pre-reception" information-flow protocol and joint Childcare Sufficiency Assessment.
Several councils name specific screening tools: WellComm appears in Oxfordshire, Reading, Rochdale, Isle of Wight and Wigan; NELI in East Sussex and Isle of Wight; ELKLAN in Harrow and Rochdale; ASQ in Wigan; and Little Link, Language Link and ELSEC in East Sussex and Reading.
On numbers, the strongest targets come from Dorset (616 EHCNAs in year one, 60% settings more confident, 40% understanding pathways), Kingston (79.5% overall GLD, 29% GLD for SEND children by 2028/29), South Tyneside (GLD rising from 73.5% to about 77% by 2028), Wigan (84% of two-year-olds in funded education by 2027, 350 Early Health Notifications) and South Gloucestershire (100% BSIP recruitment, 60–80% settings trained). Hackney and Harrow also give percentage targets for reach and escalation reduction.
By contrast, Coventry, Shropshire, Durham, Barnsley and Solihull explicit
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The question was put to each document on its own, using up to six of its most relevant pages. Page numbers in the table link to the document itself.
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Leeds
Every document's answer
Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole
The council commits to embedding early identification and prevention "from early years to post-16" p14, aiming to increase the proportion achieving a Good Level of Development (EYFS) p4. Actions include establishing and operationalising Best Start Family Hubs as inclusive access points, designing and piloting evidence-based early intervention approaches, and strengthening sufficiency data collection p33. It will also align SEND delivery with Family Hub development for children aged 0–5, embedding SEND expertise within early years systems p67.
Brighton and Hove
The council commits to earlier identification via Experts at Hand (EAH), with practitioners accessed by early years settings through annual planning meetings and termly "Team around the setting" meetings, focusing on capacity-building through consultation, training, coaching and modelling p8. It is building the "Team around the City Child" model at Best Start in Life Family Hubs, using SEN2 data to allocate resources by need, and planning a further early years specialist base plus capital adaptations for early years settings (page 31, page 6).
Bromley
Bromley commits to strengthening early identification "from birth" via the Effective Early Years Fund p18 and aligning provision with Best Start in Life and Family Hub development, with Best Start in Life Inclusion Practitioners taking up post p12. All six Children and Family Centres act as first port of call for families p12. The SALT UTS therapy model will extend into early years, alongside an OT UTS model, and the Experts at Hand model will be embedded across early years p12. Targeted training and improved screening tools for early years practitioners are also planned p91.
Bury
Bury commits to a needs-led, inclusive 0-25 system where children are "identified early" p5, aiming for earlier identification of need alongside stronger mainstream inclusion p5. Early years is explicitly included from the outset in inclusive practice expectations, alongside mainstream, alternative provision and post-16 p13. The plan links this to expansion of the Best Start in Life Strategy and Family Hubs, aligning health visiting, early years provision and SEND pathways, with focus on outcomes in the "first 1,001 days" p44.
Cambridgeshire
The council commits to strengthening early identification and early help through its Best Start in Life (BSIL) programme, establishing five Family Hubs as multi-agency access points for early identification, SEND support and evidence-based parenting programmes p70. This includes enhanced early years SEND practitioners and family support roles to strengthen capacity across the 0–5 pathway p70. It also plans a shared definition of inclusion spanning early years, schools and colleges p43, and aims for school readiness alongside an expanded childcare offer p70.
Cornwall
Cornwall commits to using its Best Start in Life Strategy and Family Hubs to strengthen early identification and multi-agency support "from the earliest stages" p7. It cites existing early years integration, Family Hubs, Best Start in Life and PINS as foundations already strengthening early identification p4. Best Start in Life, Family Hubs and VCSE partners will co-design strengthened, community-based early support before issues escalate p11. Investment is also prioritising Area Resource Bases and Inclusion Bases within mainstream early years settings p45.
Coventry
Coventry commits to most children with SEND being "supported successfully in inclusive local early years settings" by 2029, with improved attendance and participation tracked from early years onward p5. Early years is embedded in governance, with strategic representation on the SEND and AP Partnership Board, an operational lead in the Reform Delivery Group, and involvement in workspaces covering inclusion, pathways, workforce and data p22. Existing early years provider networks will be used to test proposals and feed intelligence into the RDG p22. No separate early identification tool or numeric target is specified.
East Sussex
East Sussex commits to strengthening early identification and school readiness by aligning early years SEND work with the Best Start in Life Strategy and Family Hubs (page 7, page 13). In 2026/27 it will develop a version of the Universal Approach and Provision (UAP) for early years settings p11, introduce new Best Start in Life Inclusion Practitioners (BSIPs) working across early years and Family Hubs, and connect BSIPs with Family Hubs and Experts at Hand locality clusters p12. It also plans new inclusive early years settings, training on suitable physical environments, and reviewing speech and language tools like Little Link, Language Link, ELSEC3 and NELI4 (page 11, page 13).
Hackney
Hackney commits to moving from a reactive to an "intelligence-led, inclusive continuum" in early years, dismantling transition cliffs p26. Key tools include the Common Language Toolkit defining a universal "ordinarily available" standard, and the SMAP cycle informing a borough-wide universal offer p26. It will integrate mandatory 2-year developmental checks and PVI caseloads into a Qlik dashboard, populate 100% EY baseline data, give all EY Consultants dashboard access, assign Named Lead SEND Practitioners to all Best Start Family Hubs, and target 85% of "Targeted Plus" families with reduced escalation gaps p44.
Hounslow
Hounslow commits to strengthening identification of need from birth to five through its Best Start in Life local plan, Family Hub model and Best Start Inclusion Practitioners (BSIPs), ensuring timely support before needs escalate p5. It will also align SEND delivery with the Best Start in Life strategy, reviewing sufficiency across mainstream and specialist early years provision and strengthening inclusive practice and early intervention p37. BSIP expertise is specifically named for EYFS, alongside Family Hub Navigators and Children's Social Care to support early, accurate identification p11.
Norfolk
Norfolk commits to strengthening early identification so more children start school "school ready," aiming for earlier, more accurate identification of development needs p105. It will introduce Early Years Area SENDCos to support children with multiple development needs from age 3 through Reception, aiding identification and tailored interventions p122. Reform funding will fund a "team around the setting" approach in early years, aligned with the Best Start Programme and Healthy Child Programme p68. It also aims to better connect Early Identification of Need and 2–2.5-year review data, extending INDES/IPSEF/GPM tools into early years p101.
Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire commits to identifying needs earlier in early years, with a focus on "fast track assessment and support, sufficiency and expertise in local settings" to support children's "good level of development and readiness for primary school" p14. Schools are engaging with the Wellcomm pilot for early identification of speech, language and communication needs, with a wider rollout model being developed p5. A structured transition toolkit supports movement from nursery to reception through early identification and joint planning with families p5. The Experts at Hand (EAH) multi-disciplinary model will extend to early years settings p5.
Reading
Reading commits to embedding Family Hubs as key delivery channels for early identification, parental engagement and SEND advice, aligned to Experts at Hand pathways p47. It aims to increase availability of early years places and specialist SEND early years provision, addressing shortfalls including through Best Start Family Hubs p30. Actions include establishing Experts at Hand presence within Family Hubs, using screening tools like Wellcomm and Language Link across targeted cohorts, and completing an options analysis of screening tools usable across primary, secondary and FE settings (pages 27–28).
Shropshire
The council commits to embedding SEND pathways into Best Start in Life and Family Hub arrangements, creating a clear front door for advice and consistent referral routes into early years support and EAH p32. Hub-level demand, repeat contacts, waiting times and referral conversion rates will be monitored, with extra support targeted where localities show pressure or under-representation p32. Existing EY forums and EHCNA input already support earlier joint decisions p7. No specific early-years identification tool or numerical target is named beyond these commitments.
Stoke-on-Trent
The council commits to strengthening early years multi-agency working so needs are identified early, supported by 8 operational Family Hubs with a growing SEND-specific offer p10. Its Best Start Family Hubs will include staff trained in supporting inclusion, with the Experts at Hand Offer integrated for early years identification and intervention through Best Start Inclusion Practitioners p33. A new integrated front door via the Families First partnership is also planned p33.
Wirral
Wirral commits to strengthening early years identification and intervention through co-located support, communication clinics, early years expertise and multidisciplinary team (MDT) deployment p81. It integrates Family Hubs and locality-based early years expertise to improve childcare and specialist SEND place sufficiency, and aims to strengthen transitions from early years into primary school via planned, integrated pathways p81. Best Start in Life and Family Hubs are named as key enablers of earlier identification, aligning funding and commissioning to reduce later reliance on statutory intervention p19. Monitoring will track transitions between early years settings before statutory school age p20.
Worcestershire
The council commits to strengthening early identification through Best Start Family Hubs' "early inclusion role," tracking referrals and signposting to these hubs as a success measure p7. It plans a two-day "Early Years Best Start event" on 26–27 June 2026 to engage early years providers on early identification and inclusion, linking to Best Start in Life and Family Hubs within SEND reform p29. It also monitors early years settings' involvement and access data for early inclusion support p14.
Barnsley
The council commits to expanding early years provision and family hubs, viewing this as "critical to early identification and intervention" p68. It plans to align its SEND strategy with early years reforms and invest in early years workforce development, prioritising SEND support within early years settings to mitigate inconsistent implementation p68. More broadly, it commits to "an effective graduated response – ensuring needs are identified earlier" and to identifying and assessing needs "as soon as possible" (page 8, page 10), though no specific pre-school assessment tool or numeric target is named.
Bath and North East Somerset
The council commits all Early Years settings to a consistent graduated response using the Assess–Plan–Do–Review cycle, identifying needs early through observation, screening and family partnership p18. It will launch EYFS and Post-16 editions of the Ordinarily Available Provision (OAP) in September 2026 p6, embed universal screening and assessment approaches, expand the Language for Life programme, publish a twice-yearly EY sufficiency report, reinforce Section 23 information-sharing, and distribute the Inclusive Early Years Fund in 2026-27 p18.
Bristol
Bristol commits to earlier identification and support for children with additional needs through its Best Start in Life strategy, aligned with SEND reform p41. All early years settings have completed a self-evaluation of inclusive practice, informing setting-level support linked to local SEND reform plans p41. Three Family Hubs align with SEND reform localities, with Parent Navigators (overseen by the Parent Carer Forum) helping families navigate the system, and Family Hub representatives sitting on each of the 11 Inclusion Cluster Boards p41.
Cumberland
Cumberland commits to a coordinated early years SEND model aligned to Best Start in Life and Family Hub delivery, aiming for children to receive support earlier with reduced reliance on statutory assessment p13. Specific actions include assessing sufficiency of early years SEND provision (including specialist places), strengthening identification pathways involving health visitors, early years providers, paediatricians and early help services, integrating SEND support within Family Hubs, and improving transitions from early years to primary through consistent information sharing and earlier planning p13.
Dorset
Dorset commits to improving early years identification through a completed 0-5 childcare and specialist SEND sufficiency assessment identifying gaps and complex needs p39, and rollout of the "Reception Ready" model to help settings support school moves p39. It will use the digital Valuing SEND tool, launched summer 2025, for self-assessment and early identification, aiming for consistent use across most Early Years settings (page 10, page 58). Targets include a Year 1 goal of 616 EHCNAs, 60% of settings reporting increased confidence, and 40% of Early Years settings understanding standardised pathways p51.
Durham
Durham commits to embedding early identification and intervention through the Best Start in Life programme and Family Hubs model, integrating early years services with SEND provision and aligning with Best Start local plans for a coherent 0–25 approach p24. Early years providers will be engaged via Family Hubs and early years forums to support identification p16. Children's Social Care reforms, including Family Help and integrated early intervention services, will align with SEND pathways p24. No specific numeric early-years targets or assessment tools are named.
Harrow
Harrow commits to earlier identification of need through integrated working across education, health, Family Hubs and Early Help p11. It is expanding the "Experts at Hand" model with three additional Early Years Advisors supporting all early years providers p11, and expanding the Inclusion Early Years Fund, with about 95% of providers expected to receive funding p11. Over 140 practitioners have completed ELKLAN training for communication support p11. By 2029, Family Hubs will be integral to the early identification pathway p11. Success measures include Early Years Inclusion Fund reach and Portage activity p81.
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire commits to developing its Early Years Offer and launching Best Start Family Hubs, providing integrated place-based access to early help, health, education and family support so needs are identified and addressed earlier p24. Actions include rolling out "Early Talk Boost" interventions in Watford and Stevenage, recruiting Best Start Inclusion Practitioners across ten districts, monitoring reduced timetables in Reception, and embedding a Health Visitor Care Coordinator role p24. It also uses the Childcare Sufficiency Report to inform specialist early years provision planning, including School-Based Nursery Grant places p18.
Isle of Wight
The council commits to aligning delivery with the Best Start in Life Programme, with Family Hubs as the primary access point for early identification and intervention p8. It will strengthen early identification using developmental data, health visitor assessments, WellComm screening, speech and language assessments, and multi-agency information sharing, focusing on speech/language, autism, sensory and SEMH needs p8. It will establish clear early years SEND pathways, use the Ordinarily Available Provision Framework and Experts at Hand model, and implement a consistent Island-wide transition framework into Reception p8. It will also use NELI and ELSEC programmes p11.
Kingston upon Thames
The council commits to identifying needs before school starts by expanding Best Start Family Hubs with named SEND specialists delivering support pre-primary, and implementing a "pre-reception" information flow protocol (page 33, page 19). It will publish an updated Childcare Sufficiency Assessment in Autumn 2026 using parent/provider surveys to map SEND gaps p33, recruit an Early Years Senior SEND Advisor, launch a "Workforce Excellence" bursary for Level 3 SENCOs, and deploy Healthy Early Years London and PATHS programmes (page 33, page 19). Targets include 79.5% GLD overall and 29% GLD for SEND children by 2028/29 p19.
North Northamptonshire
The council commits to Family Hubs acting as the "front door" for early SEND identification, embedding identification and response within universal and targeted pathways (page 29, page 50). Actions include aligning early years SEND support with Family Help, deploying Experts at Hand into Family Hubs and early years settings via Inclusion Partnerships, and workforce training on early identification p39. Targets include increased pre-statutory support uptake, improved Good Level of Development (GLD) in pilot areas, better school readiness, smoother transitions, and fewer parent-requested EHCPs p39.
Nottingham
The council commits to earlier identification through the Graduated Response and Experts at Hand offer p32. In 2026 it will complete and publish a Childcare Sufficiency Assessment focused on SEND, covering ages 0–5, informed by SENIF, Section 23 notifications, EHCP/SEN Support data and provider feedback p34. The Early Years Inclusion Service (portage, autism specialists) offers drop-ins at family hubs, and training is provided to over 290 early years providers p34. Nottingham also aligns SEND with the Best Start in Life Strategy (2025–2030), using Family Hubs for early identification p74.
Richmond upon Thames
The council will publish an updated Childcare Sufficiency Assessment in Autumn 2026, using parent/provider surveys to map early years and specialist SEND place gaps p29. It will expand Best Start Family Hubs with named SEND specialists and a 'pre-reception' information flow protocol ensuring identification and specialist input before school starts p29. It will recruit an Early Years Senior SEND Advisor and launch a 'Workforce Excellence' bursary for Level 3 Early Years SENCOs, plus deploy Healthy Early Years London and PATHS programmes p29. The SEAH model will prioritise Early Years and Family Hubs in 2026/27 p29.
Rochdale
Rochdale commits to using its 17 Family Hubs and strong early years offer as core parts of the SEND early intervention system, embedding SEND screening, advice and support within universal and targeted provision, with clear pathways and co-production with families p28. Early Years and Family Hub SEND offers will be merged for consistency, and the Best Start in Life Strategy will increase 0–5 investment, prioritising early identification and targeted SEND support, complemented by Experts at Hand teams p28. Tools include WellComm and ELKLAN for SLCN p50, and progress is tracked via GLD (Good Level of Development) outcomes p30.
Slough
The council commits to identifying needs earlier through Goal 1's "strengthened universal offer and graduated response" p28. It will use Section 23, early years and health visiting intelligence to strengthen transition planning into school p40, and reviewed Section 23 notification routes are connected to early years planning p40. It plans to invest in early years environments, including Family Hubs, sensory environments and assistive technology, and engage early years providers in identifying estate opportunities for inclusion bases p47.
Solihull
The plan aims to move from "late identification of need" to children getting "the right support, earlier" p1. It commits to increasing involvement of early years providers in local SEND activity and decision-making p2, and to supporting schools' partnerships with parents to improve communication and early identification of needs before difficulties escalate p2. No specific early-years tools or numerical targets are named in these excerpts.
Somerset
Somerset commits to fully integrating early years delivery through the Best Start in Life model, focusing on school readiness, inclusion and improved Good Level of Development outcomes, with Family Hubs as consistent access points p13. It will strengthen information sharing between health visitors, early years providers and reception classes so needs are understood before school p13. It is reviewing a graduated response tool defining "ordinarily available inclusive practice" p12, and by end of 2027 will complete a sufficiency assessment of 0–5 childcare and specialist SEND early years places p18.
South Gloucestershire
The council commits to recruiting Best Start Inclusion Practitioners across Family Hubs, aiming for 100% recruitment and scaling caseloads (10 families rising to 25) across all hubs by later years p94. It targets 60% then 80% of settings trained in Ordinarily Available Provision and SEMH toolkits, and 100% early years providers responding to a sufficiency survey p94. An Early Years Development Group will be established for strategic planning, with governance links to Experts at Hand, and exploration of mainstream school nursery places p50.
South Tyneside
The council commits to earlier identification of need from birth through Best Start Family Hubs and integrated health services, aiming to improve school readiness and reduce later escalation, including earlier identification of speech, language and communication needs p5. It targets increasing Good Level of Development (GLD) from 73.5% (2024/25) to the South Tyneside Best Start ambition of "approximately 77% by 2028" p13. It will also establish transition-quality reporting from Q2 2026/2027 and use Early Health Notification panels for early identification p13.
Staffordshire
The council commits to aligning SEND reform with Best Start and Families First strategies to embed prevention, early help and multi-agency working "from pregnancy to adulthood" p19. It plans Best Start Hubs and family support pathways to create clearer routes to advice and intervention, "reducing escalation and improving school readiness" p3. Data-sharing agreements and co-location of early years, health and SEND services are named as supporting tools p93.
Wigan
Wigan commits to identifying needs "at the earliest opportunity," aiming by 2029 for a mature early identification system preventing escalation before school entry p10. Named tools include consistent use of the ASQ assessment at 2.5 years, a strengthened Early Health Notification process, and WellComm for early language development (page 10, page 11). A School Readiness Strategy and shared toolkit will be launched via Family Hubs p40. Targets include 84% of 2-year-olds in funded early education by 2027 and Early Health Notifications rising to 350 p40.
Wolverhampton
The council commits to a co-produced Universal Offer and graduated response covering early years through post-16, with Best Start Family Hubs as a "key platform for early identification" p7. The Experts at Hand (EAH) model will give early years settings timely specialist education and health input to enable earlier identification (page 3, page 7). Actions include Universal Offer briefings for early years forums, a CPD framework prioritising early years cohorts, and inclusion bases/accessibility adaptations targeted at highest-need early years settings p11.
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