Children's Services plans

This strategy sets out the ambition for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their families from 2024 to 2029 by the Local Area Partnership in Royal Greenwich.

It builds on our last strategy, recent Local Area Partnership Inspection priorities and Self Evaluation Framework which formed part of the last local area Inspection process (2023).

The strategy will support the inclusion of children and young people within their homes, schools and the wider community. The SEND and Inclusion Plan will help us make sure that we meet the ambitions within the strategy.

It was written at a time when there are many changes in the landscape of SEND and significant challenges in meeting demand and responding to funding pressures. We have recognised these within the strategy, which is flexible to respond to changes in national guidance.

Who has been involved

It has been led by our children, who have set the vision and ambitions for the strategy through a series of workshops and questionnaires. They have also provided artwork to illustrate the document.

Families have been involved throughout the process in determining the content and layout of the document.

Professionals across the partnership have also been involved in workshops and surveys, so it is as inclusive as possible of the views of senior managers, frontline workers and our schools.

Five ambitions for the strategy

Our young people have established five key ambitions for the strategy:

• We want to be a part of our local community and go to inclusive fun activities like everyone else
• We want schools and nurseries to support us better and have enough places so we can go to the right school for us
• We want to be independent and ready for work or college when we leave school
• We want to be as safe and healthy as we can be
• We want ourselves, our families and friends to understand our needs and be able to support us well

The SEND and Inclusion Partnership Strategy will develop inclusive practice in all our schools, settings and providers.

This will prepare young people for their lives as adults and make sure that they are able to stay in their local community and access the right provision to meet their needs wherever possible.