We had the privilege of attending the SEND Summit 2024, held on October 10th, which turned out to be an incredibly successful and impactful event. With 270 attendees, including parent carers, educators, local authorities, and healthcare professionals, the day was a testament to the commitment and passion of all stakeholders working to improve outcomes for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

The event kicked off with a warm welcome from Cheshire West & Chesters Leader Councillor Louise Gittins, setting the scene for the day. This was followed by a presentation from Debbie Edwards, Head of Education and Inclusion on the national and local context of SEND, offering vital insights into the challenges and progress being made. We learned that over 1.6 million children in England have special educational needs, with a growing number of Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs), both nationally and within the Cheshire West and Chester (CW&C) region.

A notable highlight was the "Fit to Submit" presentation, delivered by Gill Tyler , (Designated Clinical Officer) and Karen Cove (Senior Manager Education Access/ SEN Team and Specialist Teaching) , which focused on the importance of ensuring that EHCP submissions are comprehensive, clear, and child centred. This sparked lively discussions during the tabletop activities, where attendees shared ideas on improving quality assurance processes and ensuring that the voice of the child is always central to the submission process.

A key focus was the Neurodiversity Recovery Programme, which aims to implement a standardised, needs-led, early-help approach using the Portsmouth Model. This will require support across our nine Places/Local Authority areas, aligned to the profiling tool. To achieve this, a survey has been developed to conduct a gap analysis across the 9 dimensions identified in the Portsmouth Profiling Tool, assessed by age and stage, and across our 9 Places in Cheshire & Merseyside. All stakeholders to participate in the survey to contribute to this essential analysis. Support Offer Survey 

Kevin Burns, SEND Attendance Advisor for the Department of Education introduced the concept of "Ordinarily Available" provision, a framework aimed at defining what should be available in schools to support SEND pupils before the need for an EHCP. His session included a Mentimeter activity, fostering a collaborative atmosphere as participants engaged in real-time feedback and suggestions on how to close gaps in provision and improve communication across the board.

A personal highlight was Julie Duff's moving presentation on the "Parents' Voice." Julie, representing the Parent Carer Forum, emphasised the importance of co-production and collaboration between parents, professionals, and decision-makers. Her presentation reinforced the message that effective SEND support is built on the collective input of everyone involved, especially families, whose lived experiences provide invaluable insight.

Throughout the day, attendees engaged in a series of networking sessions, interactive activities, and feedback discussions. The atmosphere was vibrant, with a genuine sense of community and shared purpose. Conversations were rich, solutions-focused, and grounded in a collective desire to ensure that all children with SEND receive the support they deserve.

The summit concluded with remarks from Councillor Adam Langan Cabinet Member for Children's and Families in CW&C, who reinforced the importance of maintaining momentum and taking tangible next steps based on the discussions. As the event wrapped up with further networking opportunities, there was a strong sense of optimism and commitment to continue working together toward a better future for SEND provision.

In summary, the SEND Summit 2024 was an inspiring event that brought together a diverse and passionate group of individuals, all working toward the shared goal of improving SEND services. The turnout was fantastic, and the energy in the room was palpable. With such a wide range of stakeholders involved, including parent carers who play a crucial role in this space, the event highlighted the power of collaboration and the importance of putting the needs of children and young people at the heart of everything we do.

We are committed to keeping everyone updated on the progress and outcomes from the SEND Summit. Regular updates will be shared, including key actions from your feedback and developments like the Neurodiversity Recovery Programme and gap analysis survey. Stay tuned for more information as we work together to improve SEND provision.

If you have any questions, please email us at: contact.pcfcwac@gmail.com or call 07900 840867

Join us and have your voice heard at any of our events in 2024/25...