Local Area SEND Partnership Board October 2025
Our SEND Partnership - What We Talked About
This summary brings together the key points from both the agenda and meeting minutes. It explains what the Local Area SEND Partnership Board (LASPB) discussed, what decisions were made, and what this means for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in Wirral.
Checking progress
Most actions from the last meeting are now complete.
A report on high‑needs funding is delayed until November.
Work continues to improve communication about mental health pathways.
A planned meeting about the Neurodevelopmental (ND) Pathway was replaced by a wider “deep dive” into all neurodevelopmental support.
Updates on SEND improvement work
How we are improving SEND services
The partnership looked at progress on its three priority areas:
Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)
A system error made earlier figures look better than they were. The correct August figure for draft plans issued on time was 13.8%, not 100%.
The quality and timeliness of EHCPs still need to improve.
A recovery plan with clearer timelines will be shared next month.
Neurodevelopmental (ND) Support
Schools must all be trained before the new ND pathway can start.
Many schools are already trained, which is positive.
A full update on ND data will be shared at the next meeting.
Communication with families
The Board agreed that better, clearer communication is vital. This links to Ofsted and Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection findings from early 2025.
Reviewing progress with the Government
Every six months the Government checks Wirral’s progress. The Board agreed to:
Review its Terms of Reference.
Change some meeting formats so there is more time to look at lived experiences and what is working.
Carry out a deep dive into the full Neurodevelopmental offer.
What the data tells us
Key points from August 2025 data:
EHCP timeliness: Only 16.1% of plans were issued within 20 weeks. The target is 60%.
Annual reviews: 27.4% were completed on time.
ND waits: The number of children waiting for ND assessment rose to 6,668.
Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT): Waiting times have improved. Average wait is now 6 weeks, down from 31 weeks the year before.
Most NHS services (except ND) are meeting first‑appointment targets.
Educational Psychology demand remains high.
How leaders are learning more about SEND
Deep dives help leaders understand different parts of the SEND system. Board members asked whether sessions could be recorded or opened up to more people. A consultation will be carried out.
Making sure SEND support is sustainable - delivering better value
The Board discussed:
Delays in publishing the Graduated Approach (a guide showing the support schools should provide before an EHCP is needed).
The need for clear, simple language in this guide.
The aim to finish it by January 2026.
A request for clearer information on places in resourced provision (specialist support within mainstream schools).
Funding to improve communication
Wirral received £120,000 from the Department for Education. This will support:
A six‑month SEND roadshow across Wirral.
Expert help to improve communication.
Co‑produced, easy‑to‑read SEND information for families.
A detailed report will follow in November.
What Could Go Wrong, and how are we managing it.
Key risks include:
EHCP delays.
ND assessment waiting times.
Pressure on specialist school places.
Capacity in services such as Educational Psychology and Speech and Language Therapy.
A deep dive into risk will take place soon.
The next meeting will be on 25 November 2025.
What does this mean for you
The partnership knows families need clearer, faster and more helpful communication.
Work is happening to reduce waiting times for EHCPs, ND assessments and SaLT.
A new Graduated Approach will help schools give better early support.
The SEND roadshow and new information materials aim to rebuild trust and involve families more.
The Board is tracking risks and data closely to make sure improvements happen and are sustained.
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