Local SEND Reform Plans · 40 documents asked · 40 answered · 0 not stated · run 11 September 2026
What does this council say it will stop doing, reduce or spend less on, as opposed to start?
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Ask for a surveyAlmost every council gives the same basic answer. The dominant theme, repeated across nearly all plans, is that councils will reduce reliance on high-cost independent, non-maintained and out-of-area special school placements, and cut the transport spend that goes with them, by building local specialist capacity instead. Examples include Barnsley, Bristol, Bromley, Cambridgeshire, Cornwall, Dorset, Durham, Hertfordshire, Nottingham, Oxfordshire, Wigan and Wirral, among many others. Several also plan to cut tribunal, mediation and complaint activity, and to reduce exclusions, suspensions and part-time timetables.
A few councils stand out for stopping something different. Norfolk is unusual in naming an administrative stop: ending the Schools Block "block transfer" from 2026–27, and cutting spend on educational psychologists and locum staff. Cumberland and Somerset similarly flag stopping or avoiding Schools Block to High Needs Block transfers. Richmond stands out for phasing out spot-commissioned therapies in favour of block contracts like CASS. Hackney stands out for explicit stop language, saying it will "systematically cease funding to legacy providers." Solihull stands out for stepping away from expanding special schools altogether, favouring mainstream specialist bases instead. Isle of Wight stands out for warning that weak finances could force cuts to core council functions, not just SEND provision.
Many councils back their answer with hard numbers. Bristol targets cutting independent placements from
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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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Every document's answer
Barnsley
Barnsley plans to reduce reliance on out-of-borough, high-cost specialist placements (page 7, page 11), aiming to stabilise independent/non-maintained placements below 300 p24 and cut EHCP assessment completions to below 700 annually p24. It also aims to reduce tribunal activity from 3 to ≤2 per year and cut complaints/escalations p24, and expects reduced transport need and spend as local provision improves p17.
Bath and North East Somerset
The council plans to reduce spend on independent placements, targeting a decrease from £10,868,000 to £10,935,000 baseline reductions over three years p16, reducing reliance on independent and out-of-area placements through targeted local investment p19, reducing duplication in data collection and pooling resources at locality level (pages 3, 16), and decreasing suspensions, part-time/reduced timetables, and persistent/severe absence among CYP with EHCPs p16.
Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole
BCP plans to reduce reliance on crisis responses, escalation and high-cost placements (page 2, page 6). It aims to see a decrease in EHCNA requests and in the proportion progressing to an EHCP (page 2, page 12), a decrease in the number and proportion of children with EHCPs in non-maintained or independent special schools p12, and a decrease in use of alternative provision, with registered/unregistered AP places returning to current levels by 28/29 after a temporary rise (page 5, page 2).
Brighton and Hove
The council plans to reduce spend on high-cost, independent and out-of-area placements, with no additional out-of-city placements made between 2027 and 2029 p13. It aims for a 5% reduction in SEN Support applications by 2029 p13, reduced variability in practice across settings p13, and reduced reliance on independent/out-of-area specialist provision and associated home-to-school transport costs as local capacity increases p28. It also targets reduced persistent absence, exclusions, part-time timetables and statutory escalations p6.
Bristol
The council plans to move away from reliance on statutory assessment and reduce demand on the statutory system as mainstream inclusion grows p16. It aims to reduce reliance on independent non-maintained special school places (INMSS), cutting numbers from 348 to a target of 148 p8, and to reduce reliance on out-of-city placements and costly INMSS via a new special free school p33. It also aims to reduce over-reliance on unregistered alternative provision p10.
Bromley
Bromley plans to reduce use of independent and non-maintained special school (NMSS) provision, cutting reliance on out-of-borough and high-cost placements (page 5, page 22). It expects a High Needs budget cost reduction of £12.52m by 2029/30 and £1.67m less spending on SEN Transport by 2029/30 p6. Tribunal rates are targeted to fall from 2% to 1%, alongside reduced complaints, mediation, escalation to statutory processes, and moderated EHCP growth p5.
Bury
Bury plans to reduce reliance on high-cost specialist placements by investing in early intervention and local capacity p5, and to reduce reliance on independent non-maintained and out-of-borough placements by expanding local ASC, SEMH and post-16 provision p36. It will also cut travel for children needing specialist placements p34 and end the DSG Central Services Block contribution after 2026/27 p34.
Cambridgeshire
The council says it will reduce reliance on high-cost independent (non-maintained specialist) placements and out-of-county provision, shifting spend toward local state-funded specialist places, enhanced resource bases and mainstream inclusion (page 34, page 31, page 60). It aims to "step-back" and "step-down" children from specialist to Targeted/Targeted Plus provision where possible p43. It also wants to reduce avoidable escalation to EHCPs and unnecessary hand-offs between services, though it states this is not about cutting statutory support (page 43, page 38).
Cornwall
Cornwall says it will reduce spending on independent specialist provision, shifting demand to local provision p5, and stop increasing INMSS placements and specialist post-16 institution places beyond 2027 figures, capping specialist post-16 institution placements at 90 from 2027 (page 5, page 13). It will also slow growth in EHC needs assessments p5, reduce spot purchasing p13, and reduce reliance on costly independent and out-of-area provision p5.
Coventry
Coventry aims to reduce dependence on independent, out-of-area and alternative provision p6, cutting long-distance placements and travel time/distance for children with SEND p7. It will reduce avoidable specialist referrals and urgent escalations p7, reduce EHE/EOTAS driven by unmet need and waiting times for placements p11, and reduce permanent exclusions, crisis-route AP placements, reduced timetables, EOTAS volume, and NEET numbers p14. It also seeks to stabilise then reduce DSG high needs cost pressures p7.
Cumberland
Cumberland says it will reduce reliance on costly out-of-authority and independent-sector placements, currently costing £6.4m in 2024/25 and £7.1m in 2025/26 (page 36, page 7). It aims to reduce avoidable escalation to statutory EHCP processes and stabilise EHCP demand p7, reduce exclusions p7, and stop passing Schools Block funding into the High Needs Block, having made no such block transfers since 2024/25 and not expecting to in future p34.
Dorset
Dorset says it will reduce reliance on independent, distant and high-cost placements and provision p68, aiming to cut spend on Independent Special School (ISS) places p45 and reduce independent special placements from 523 towards 463 over the plan period p45. It also intends to reduce EHCNA growth and cost per child p23, and cap local authority transformation costs at no more than 10% of funding p59.
Durham
The council plans to reduce reliance on high-cost independent and out-of-area placements and specialist transport (page 1, page 2), aiming to stabilise and then reduce EHCP growth p3. It intends to reduce travel distances for children needing specialist placements (page 2, page 11) and reduce escalation to statutory processes and reliance on tribunal/complaint activity p3. Special school place expansion will be limited, targeted only where mainstream or inclusion bases cannot meet needs p2.
East Sussex
The council aims to reduce its High Needs Block (HNB) deficit, expecting a downward trajectory from 2029/30 p6. It intends to reduce the number of pupils placed at Independent Non-Maintained Special (INMS) schools, leading to "a decrease in spend on this provision" as more children access support through specialist bases locally instead p6. It also expects reduced demand on specialist services as early intervention through Best Start in Life Inclusion Practitioners takes effect p5.
Hackney
Hackney says it will reduce reliance on Independent Non-Maintained Special Schools and out-of-borough placements p8, cut home-to-school SEND transport spend from £7,592,000 to £6,490,400 by 28/29 p21, and reduce request rates for EHC needs assessments by 8% p8. It will also stop funding legacy AP providers, "systematically cease funding to legacy providers," reduce uncoordinated commissioning spend, and cut permanent exclusions p48.
Harrow
Harrow plans to reduce reliance on high-cost independent and out-of-borough placements p69, slow growth in reliance on INMSS placements p69, and reduce the weighted average unit cost per EHCP by about 0.7% by 2027/28 p69. It also aims to reduce growth in transport costs from around 14% to roughly 7-8% by 2028 (page 69, page 48), and to reduce permanent exclusions and suspensions rates p25.
Hertfordshire
The council intends to reduce reliance on independent special school places p12 and explicitly aims to "Reduce spend on ISS places" p19. It also wants to lower the proportion of children in independent placements, reducing this to 13% by 2029, and to keep independent-sector expenditure below statistical neighbour averages p12.
Hounslow
Hounslow plans to reduce requests for Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments by 5% annually through to 2029 p5, eliminate inappropriate use of Alternative Provision for pupils whose needs can be met in mainstream settings p5, reduce SEND NEET figures from 129 to 117 p5, and reduce reliance on statutory assessment, high-cost specialist placements and independent/out-of-borough placements p32.
Isle of Wight
The council plans to realign school places with pupil numbers so combined operating costs of primary and secondary schools can be reduced p127. It also aims to reduce reliance on distant or out-of-area placements by expanding local specialist provision p141, and to reduce need for EHC plans and specialist placements through earlier support via the REST team p119. It warns its weak finances could force a reduction in core functions p127.
Kingston upon Thames
The council plans to shift away from "high-cost, independent sector reliance" toward localised provision p4. It expects the number of EHC needs assessment requests to decrease from 356 in 2025 p4, and aims to reduce out-of-borough and independent specialist placements (page 9, page 54). It also expects reliance on expensive taxis within SEN transport to decrease, as cheaper personal budgets increase p9.
Leeds
The council aims to reduce mediations/tribunals, targeting less than a 15% year-on-year increase, down from over 30% currently p6. It also seeks a sustained reduction in the proportion of young people with SEND who are not in education, employment or training p6, and a reduction in the number of children moving to special schools at key transition points, as more needs are met in mainstream settings p6.
Norfolk
Norfolk plans to stop the Schools Block "block transfer" from 2026–27, ending the circular funding flow to reduce administrative complexity p58. It has modelled a reduction in Section 19 provision due to reintegration and NEET strategies p189. It also budgeted to reduce spend on Educational Psychologists in 2026-27 through efficiency savings, aiming to cut reliance on locum workers p192. Additionally, it intends to reduce the cost of capital borrowing by reallocating funding to reduce debt financing rather than new spend p176.
North Northamptonshire
The council plans to reduce spend on long-term Alternative Provision placements and stabilise exclusions p41. It aims to reduce reliance on independent non-maintained special schools (INMS) and out-of-area placements, aiming for a "significant reduction in reliance on INMS and out-of-area placements" p41. It also targets reduced home-to-school transport costs p41 and a shift away from reactive reliance on high-cost specialist placements p46.
Nottingham
The council will reduce reliance on expensive independent and out-of-area placements and transport p30, aiming to cut requests for independent school placements from 3.6% in 2026-27 to 3.2% by 2028-29, and special/independent placements from 71.6% to 66.2% p51. It will also reduce exclusions (both permanent exclusions and suspensions), including for children with SEND p57.
Oxfordshire
The council plans to significantly reduce reliance on Independent Non-Maintained and Specialist School (INMSS) placements and out-of-county provision (page 3, page 7). It aims to reduce dependence on costly independent placements through new local provision in Didcot and Faringdon p24, and to reduce demand on specialist services via early intervention p3. It also aims to reduce suspensions and exclusions p3 and lower travel/transport dependence for children p24.
Reading
The council aims to reduce reliance on EHCPs in mainstream settings and decrease Independent Non-Maintained Special School (INMSS) placements (page 12, page 5). It plans to reduce Independent Special School places p5, reduce part-time timetables p12, reduce corporate complaints by at least 25% p12, and reduce the proportion of unplaced and EOTAS pupils with EHCPs by 60% p12. It also aims to reduce reliance on clinical thresholds by shifting to needs-led pathways p47.
Richmond upon Thames
The council plans to reduce reliance on independent out-of-area placements and non-maintained/independent special schools (page 18, page 32). It will phase out spot-commissioned therapies, moving to block-contracted models like CASS (page 18, page 20). It will also significantly reduce reliance on Alternative Provision p17 and move away from a direct-delivery specialist model toward consult-and-collaborate, replacing unpredictable spot-commissioning (page 17, page 20).
Rochdale
The council aims to reduce spend on ISS (independent/specialist sector) placements p15 and reduce reliance on high-cost specialist and independent provision, including INISS p15. It intends to reduce reliance on EHCPs by strengthening early intervention p61, cut part-time timetables and use of alternative provision p15, reduce exclusions and suspensions p15, and stem growth of EHCPs and reduce use of specialist provision by Year 5 p64.
Shropshire
The council will reduce expenditure on high-cost independent and out-of-area (INMSS) placements, aiming to cut reliance so remaining use is reserved for exceptional need p18. It will lower top-up funding for non-maintained special schools from 47.6% above statistical neighbours to 37% by year three p18, and reduce new high-cost placement decisions versus trend through stronger review and step-down/repatriation p23. It also aims to reduce complaints to a maximum of two per month p9.
Slough
The council aims to reduce reliance on high-cost independent and out-of-area placements, and reduce avoidable use of AP, EOTAS and home tuition without clear review (page 34, page 47). It intends to reduce avoidable escalation into statutory and specialist provision, and reduce reliance on statutory processes where needs can be met locally p53. Where provision is not delivering value, it will "redesign, recommission or decommission it" p34.
Solihull
The plan aims to reduce reliance on special schools and independent placements, moving away from expanding special schools in favour of specialist bases in mainstream schools p3. It also aims to reduce reliance on 1:1 reactive support through the "Experts at Hand" offer p4. More broadly, it seeks to move from a "fragmented," reactive system to one with earlier, sustainable support (page 1, page 4).
Somerset
Somerset says it will reduce reliance on high-cost independent placements as part of achieving a better placement mix p5. It also aims to slow expenditure growth and bring down the annual High Needs deficit, forecast to fall from a peak of £68.1m in 2029/30 to £57.8m by 2032/33 p8. No block transfer from Schools Block to High Needs Block has been agreed, meaning no funds are being shifted that way p37.
South Gloucestershire
The council expects to reduce parental requests for special school places and correspondingly cut expenditure on special school places, both maintained and independent p33. It also aims to reduce referrals for off-site education and specialist provision, with a corresponding reduction in expenditure on specialist places and associated transport costs p56. It projects a "reduced rate of growth" in spending on independent non-maintained special schools (INMSS) and Alternative Provision p89.
South Tyneside
The council plans to reduce reliance on maintained special placements (from 40.1% to 34.7%) and independent/non-maintained special school placements (INMSS, from 6.8% to 5.4%), cutting INMSS spend from £7.97m to £7.83m p12. It aims to reduce placement changes (100 to 80), suspensions, permanent exclusions, severe absence, and reduced timetables (page 6, page 12). It also seeks to slow High Needs Block growth relative to projected trends and reduce reactive, high-cost or out-of-area provision use (page 12, page 6).
Staffordshire
The council aims to reduce reliance on statutory escalation and move away from reactive, EHCP-led responses p19. It targets a reduction in inappropriate referrals to health services by 31 March 2029 p19. It also plans to move from fragmented decision-making toward shared ownership, reducing fragmentation across services p19.
Stoke-on-Trent
The council plans to reduce reliance on independent specialist provision and decrease independent placements p5, reduce EHC needs assessment (EHCNA) requests (page 5, page 10), and reduce the percentage of children educated outside the city p22. It also aims to reduce tribunal and appeal rates, targeting a 1.9% reduction over three years p10, and to reduce complaints and escalation p10.
Wigan
Wigan plans to reduce reliance on independent/non-maintained special school placements, cutting numbers by 23% to 235 by 2029 p24. It aims to cut school-arranged Alternative Provision places by 30% to 90, and reduce those placed over six months by 76% p24. Reduced timetables will fall 26% to 165 children p14, mainstream-to-special-school moves will drop to under 50 p24, tribunal appeals will fall 30%, and elective home education of EHCP children will reduce 10% p14.
Wirral
Wirral plans to reduce reliance on high-cost, out-of-area and out-of-Borough post-16 placements, targeting over 30% reduction in their annual cost by 2029 (page 43, page 54). It aims to reduce reliance on specialist placements and escalation to EHCPs by shifting support upstream p12. Special school place growth will be capped at 10% rather than expanding freely p54, and YOY growth in EHCP numbers is to fall from 17% to 13% p54. Specialist provision will be redeveloped "without expanding" p43.
Wolverhampton
The council plans to reduce reliance on independent and out-of-area specialist school placements, shifting toward local and inclusive provision (page 6, page 16). It aims to reduce High Needs Block costs and slow high-cost escalation p3, and to decrease use of tribunal, mediation and complaints processes p6. It also seeks to reduce exclusions, suspensions and part-time timetables for pupils with SEND p6.
Worcestershire
The council aims to reduce reliance on high-cost independent and out-of-area placements and special school places, particularly for children with SEMH and ASD, by expanding local mainstream and Specialist Inclusion Base provision p27. It also seeks to reduce the proportion of children awaiting specialist placements p8 and reduce escalation linked to disagreement, delay or poor communication p8, while addressing a Dedicated Schools Grant deficit through a recovery and management plan p34.
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