SEND East – Improvement East

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About SEND East

SEND East facilitates collaboration among local authorities across the region to enhance all aspects of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). It promotes the sharing of best practice, joint problem-solving, constructive challenge, and continuous improvement.

This work is led by Improvement East and the regional SEND lead, Sheelagh Sullivan, and is sponsored by Michael Marks, Director of Children’s Services in Southend and the designated lead DCS for the programme. The Regional Self-Evaluation and Peer Challenge process informs the identification of regional priorities.

The Strategic SEND Steering Group steers collaboration, innovation, and improvement efforts, driving the implementation of the Regional SEND Development Plan. All activities are undertaken in close collaboration with health partners, children and young people, and their families.

The SEND RIIA is working with Local Area Partnerships across the region on a variety of projects that support improving the experiences and outcomes of children and young people with SEND and their families.

Principles of good practice when requesting and responding to health advice requests through the Education, Health and Care Plan process

The East of England regional Education, Health and Care plan task and finish group commenced in January 2023 . The objective was to explore and understand the current practices, barriers, and opportunities to ensuring compliance with the SEND code of practice and to develop good practice principles to be implemented across the region. The task and finish group consisted of Designated clinical officers, medical officers, parent carer representatives, Heads of SEN, SEND caseworkers, social care practitioners, health provider practitioners, specialist nurses and engagement with children and young people. They have produced principles of best practice and a self -assessment tool for health providers to benchmark themselves against good practice.

EHCP Principles – Presentation

EHCP Principles – Word

Health EHCP Self Assessment Toolkit

EHCNA Evaluation Criteria

Community of Practice

Community of Practice agenda

CoP Agenda 14/05/25