Government approves plans to improve SEND support in Gloucestershire
Major Boost for Gloucestershire SEND Services: Government Approves Multi-Million Pound Reform Plan
Children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) across Gloucestershire are set to benefit from significant service improvements after the Department for Education (DfE) formally approved the county’s SEND Reform Implementation Plan.
The approval unlocks approximately £112.2 million in government funding, covering 90% of the county’s Dedicated Schools Grant shortfall and securing a sustainable foundation for local special education services.
Developed jointly by Gloucestershire County Council, NHS Gloucestershire, education providers, and the Gloucestershire Parent Carer Forum, the plan focuses on early intervention, increasing specialist provision, and strengthening inclusion in mainstream classrooms.
Key Priorities of the Approved Plan
Early Intervention: Identifying and supporting children’s needs earlier to prevent challenges from escalating.
Inclusive Mainstream Education: Equipping mainstream primary and secondary schools with the resources and training needed to support diverse learning needs.
Reducing Exclusion & Travel: Improving school attendance and reducing out-of-county placements so children can learn closer to home
Financial Sustainability: Clearing historic deficit pressures to ensure long-term stability for county-wide SEND services.
Cllr Lisa Spivey, Leader of Gloucestershire County Council, welcomed the news:
"This is a really important moment for Gloucestershire. Families have told us they want a SEND system that is easier to navigate, more inclusive, and delivers the right support at the right time. Government approval is recognition of that shared effort and gives us a strong foundation for the next stage of the work."
What Does This Mean for the Forest of Dean?
For families and schools across the Forest of Dean, this announcement aligns directly with local educational initiatives currently underway:
1. Support "Closer to Home"
Historically, geographic isolation in rural areas like the Forest of Dean has meant longer travel times or out-of-district transport for children requiring specialist SEND support. A core element of both the newly approved Reform Plan and Gloucestershire’s wider 2026–2031 SEND Sufficiency Strategy is expanding specialist places locally—reducing lengthy daily commutes for Forest pupils.
2. Strengthening Local Mainstream Schools
With government backing, mainstream schools across Cinderford, Coleford, Lydney, and surrounding villages will receive increased targeted support. This includes boosting early-years provisions—such as the Graduated Pathway framework utilized by local hubs like the Forest of Dean Children’s Opportunity Centre—to identify needs before children reach primary age.
3. Have Your Say: Annual SEND Surveys Now Live
To ensure the rollout addresses specific community needs across rural districts, Gloucestershire County Council has launched its Annual SEND Surveys 2026 (open from 5 October to 4 December 2026) . Parent-carers and young people aged 16–25 in the Forest of Dean are strongly encouraged to participate to shape how resources are deployed locally.