Peterborough’s Local SEND Reform Plan approved by Government

Peterborough’s Local SEND Reform Plan has been approved by the Department for Education, giving the city’s local area partnership the go-ahead to move from planning into delivery.

The plan was commissioned by the Government in March 2026 and developed by partners across education, health, social care and local government, informed by the experiences and expertise of children and young people with Special Education Needs (SEND), their families, schools and other local organisations.

Approval means Peterborough City Council is eligible for an indicative £9.8 million High Needs Stability Grant covering 90 per cent of its Dedicated Schools Grant deficit accrued up to the end of 2025-26. The final allocation will be confirmed in writing and remains subject to the final audited outturn, with payment expected on 30 November 2026.

The plan sets out a three-year programme to strengthen mainstream inclusion and early intervention, including a locality-based model that will bring services and partners together around schools, settings, children and families in their communities.

In a letter confirming the plan’s approval Georgia Gould, Minister of State for School Standards Department for Education and Alison McGovern Minister of State for Social Care and Mental Health Department for Health and Social Care said: “This approval recognises that your plan has met the required threshold and provides a foundation from which your local area can move into delivery. It also reflects the government’s recognition of the commitment that your partnership has shown to reform, and the progress made in developing a shared plan for improvement.”

The letter also gave Government feedback on the plan which stated: “The plan sets out a clear and well-aligned vision. Its ambitions closely reflect the principles of SEND reform, with a clear focus on ensuring children and young people receive the right support, at the right time, and as close to home as possible.”

It went on to describe the plan as an ‘ambitious vision for the next three years, setting out how a preventative, inclusive and sustainable SEND system will be achieved through the coordinated implementation of key reform programmes, with measurable improvements in outcomes for children and young people.”

Andrew Pakes, MP for Peterborough, said: "This is good news for Peterborough families. Nearly £10 million in funding will make a real difference to the ability of the council to support children with additional needs, and it gives our schools and council the stability they've needed for a long time.

"Since I was elected, I've sat down with so many parents who are worn out from fighting for the support their child is entitled to. Those conversations have stayed with me. No parent should have to battle the system month after month, and every child deserves the chance to thrive.

"This is down to the families, campaigners, parent groups, school leaders and council officers who kept speaking up. I'm grateful to every one of them.

"There's still more to do, and this isn't the end of the road. But it's an important step, and I'll keep pushing until every child in Peterborough gets the support they deserve."

Cllr Katy Cole, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services at Peterborough City Council, said: “We welcome the Department for Education’s positive feedback on Peterborough’s SEND Reform Plan and confirmation that the plan has been approved.

“The plan sets out how the council and its partners will strengthen inclusion in mainstream education, provide help earlier and improve access to the right support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

“This is an important step, but approval is not the end of the process. We want to thank everyone across Peterborough’s local partnership for the hard work, commitment and collaboration that have brought the plan together. We are also deeply grateful to the children and young people, families, schools, health colleagues and partner organisations who have shared their experiences and offered their expertise. Their honesty, insight and determination to secure better opportunities for every child have been at the heart of this work.

“As a local partnership, we will continue working together to turn the plan’s ambitions into practical, lasting improvements and to monitor progress over the next three years.”

The Department for Education said the plan recognises the partnerships commitment to reform and the progress made in developing a shared programme of improvement.

The approval letter also identifies further work required to strengthen capability, governance, partnership working and delivery disciplines. The local partnership will address this feedback through its implementation arrangements, with stronger collective ownership, clear senior accountability, rigorous oversight and a sustained focus on measurable improvements for children, young people and families.

Progress will be monitored through quarterly review meetings and data returns, supported by Department for Education officials, regional health SEND leads and the partnership’s SEND and financial advisers. The partnership will also continue its work under Peterborough’s Accelerated Progress Plan.

Further information about the Local SEND Reform Plan, the locality-based model and how progress will be reported will be shared as delivery develops.