Dear colleagues

Welcome to the first SEND and Inclusion Bulletin of 2026.

This year is expected to bring significant national change, with the Department for Education due to publish a SEND White Paper setting out the next phase of reforms. We’ll be pleased to share clear updates as soon as more information becomes available.

I’m also delighted to invite schools to join our Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) Oversight Strategic Group. You’ll find the full article below, including details on how to nominate a school representative. I look forward to receiving nominations over the coming weeks.

Co‑production continues to sit at the heart of our SEND services. Recent engagement sessions with young people at Calthorpe Academy, Ninestiles Academy and The Hive College focused on improving the Local Offer website. Their feedback will now be used to strengthen accessibility, design and content. My heartfelt thanks to everyone involved – their preparation and support created a thoughtful, positive experience for the young people.

Thank you to all colleagues who have taken part in the Inclusion Charter roadshow sessions over recent weeks. Feedback so far has been extremely positive, with strong agreement in principle around the direction of the Charter and the developing Core Offer. It has been encouraging to hear how well the Charter aligns with the priorities already being taken forward in many settings.

A number of further sessions are still to come, and we look forward to continuing these conversations with colleagues across the city. Your reflections and insights have been invaluable in shaping the next stage of this work.

My sincere thanks go to the headteachers who represent the Education System Leader Strategic Advisory Group for their invaluable input into this work. Their leadership and challenge have been central to shaping the direction of the Charter and the developing Core Offer. In particular, I would like to thank Simon Harris, Wilson Stuart Special School and Colin Townsend, University of Birmingham School, for their time, insight and continued commitment.

The Inclusion Charter will be officially launched at our Attendance and Inclusion Conference on 16/17 June. Please save the date – more information will follow shortly.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to Birmingham’s children, young people and families.

With kind regards
Helen
Helen Ellis
Director of Early Years, SEND and Inclusion

Invitation to join the Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) Oversight Strategic Group

We’re inviting schools to nominate a representative to join the Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) Oversight Strategic Group.

The next meeting of the group is scheduled for 19 March, and we’re keen to ensure that schools are represented as part of this important strategic forum.

The group brings together partners from the Integrated Care Board (ICB), Birmingham City Council (BCC), Birmingham Parent Carer Forum (BPCF), and health and social care. Its purpose is to provide strategic oversight, strengthen partnership working, and support improvements for children and young people with SLCN across Birmingham.

Meetings will take place approximately three times a year.

If your school is able to nominate a representative, please respond directly to Helen Ellis at Helen.Ellis@birmingham.gov.uk, confirming the name, role, and contact details of the nominated individual.

We would appreciate nominations by Friday, 27 February please, and thank you for your continued support and engagement.

Save the Date: Birmingham City Attendance and Inclusion Conference 2026

We’re delighted to announce that the Birmingham City Attendance and Inclusion Conference will take place on Tuesday, 16 and Wednesday, 17 June 2026 at a central Birmingham venue.

Attendance is free for all primary, secondary and special schools, early years settings, and governors.

This year’s conference will bring together colleagues from across the city for a day of learning, collaboration and inspiration. The programme will include keynote speakers, interactive workshops, and opportunities to connect with peers from Birmingham’s education community.

Each day will offer a full programme, and colleagues only need to attend one date. While some speakers may vary, the focus and key themes will remain consistent.

Further details – including the full programme and registration link – will be shared soon as plans develop.

For now, please save the date in your calendars – we look forward to welcoming you in June!

Update on Local Authority Consultations

Important Information for Schools Regarding EHCP Consultations

Firstly, we would like to thank you for your ongoing engagement and for taking the time to respond to recent consultations. We also want to acknowledge and appreciate the co-production work that has taken place with schools to shape this approach, ensuring that the process reflects shared understanding and collaboration.

We are mindful that consultations are a significant demand on time for schools and settings. In Birmingham, almost 4,550 consultations can be issued in one school term, representing a huge effort on the part of everyone who works with our children and young people to secure them an appropriate school place. Much of this demand is out of SENAR’s control, however we are keen to look for solutions which help settings to manage the volume of requests.  We would like to share one of the steps we are taking going forward to do this.

Local Authority Consultations for Resource Bases and Special Schools

The local authority will now implement a RAG rating system for special schools and resource bases determined by pupil numbers and discussions held throughout the year and during commissioning meetings. This approach is designed to ensure that consultations are managed transparently and in accordance with each school’s current capacity and circumstances.

Red-rated schools: These settings are considered at full capacity or unable to take further admissions. Therefore, consultations will only be initiated where parents have specifically named the school as their preference.

Amber-rated schools: Consultations for these schools will be considered on an individual basis, taking into account the particular circumstances of the child and discussions with commissioning.

Green-rated schools: These schools have capacity and will receive all consultations, both local authority-initiated and those based on parental preference.

This decision has been made to ensure a more efficient consultation process and to avoid unnecessary requests to resource bases and special schools that are unable to accommodate additional pupils at this time.

Parental Preference Consultations

However, it remains a statutory requirement under the SEND Code of Practice to consult with schools named by parents as their preference, regardless of current capacity. Therefore, if a parent expresses a preference for a particular resource base or special school, the local authority will continue to carry out a consultation with that setting, even if it is currently full. This ensures that we are fully compliant with our legal obligations and that the views and preferences of parents are appropriately considered.

Next Steps

Resource bases and special schools that are at full capacity will no longer receive local authority-initiated consultations, except where a parent has named the setting as their preference.

Consultations based on parental preferences will continue as usual, and schools are expected to respond in line with statutory timeframes.

We ask all special schools and resource bases to ensure that current capacity information is up to date and communicated to the local authority – this can be done via the school pupil schedules which will be sent out shortly.

For non-tribunal cases, schools are asked not to make offers for places for the following September intake until after 1 February, as this date aligns with notification of phase transfer decisions.

This ensures that all decisions are made with reference to confirmed phase transfer information and the Local Authority’s updated sufficiency position.

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we continue to refine our processes in line with statutory requirements and the needs of our local community. If you have any questions or require further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact the SENAR team.

SEND Co-production Training 2026

In-person SEND co-production training sessions will continue to take place at a variety of venues across Birmingham.

All sessions are free of charge and are open to staff and volunteers working in SEND education, health, social care, and the voluntary sector services in Birmingham. Young people and parent carers are welcome to attend this training. Unfortunately, we do not have childcare arrangements in place for these sessions.

Purpose of SEND Co-production Training Sessions

• Define co-production and the 4Cs– explore the SEND Co-production Framework & Charter
• Hear perspectives on co-production – from young people and parent carers
• Share experiences – identify opportunities and celebrate co-production successes
• Understand the benefits– how co-production can make a difference in your work and networks
• Learn about the SEND Co-production Award Scheme – a tool to show the impact of co-production in your setting

For a list of upcoming co-production training sessions and information on how to book, please click here: SEND Co-production Training 2026 - Local Offer Birmingham.

Our Special Angels – A SEND Childcare Provision

Our Special Angels highlights the inspiring journey of founder Mariyam Akhter, who responded to the lack of suitable school holiday provision for children with SEND by creating a much-needed service for families. What began in December 2022 with ten children has now grown to support around 60 during holiday periods, working in partnership with specialist schools and trained staff to provide safe, familiar and high-quality care.

The service offers essential respite for parent carers and consistent, specialist support for children with complex needs. You can read the full story on the Birmingham Local Offer: https://www.localofferbirmingham.co.uk/2025/12/17/send-spotlight-our-special-angels/