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Norfolk Local SEND reform plan

What it sets out

The plan sets out a shared approach across education, health and social care. It focuses on earlier support and building a more inclusive system. 

Over the next three years, Norfolk will: 

  • Expand support for mainstream schools through the £5.9m 'Experts at Hand' funding, if approved by Government. This is the specialist advice and support offer available to mainstream schools 

  • Strengthen 'Team around the School' support for mainstream schools to help identify and meet children and young people's needs earlier 

  • Increase support for early years settings and further education providers 

  • Aim for 95% of 16 and 17-year-olds to be in education, employment or training 

  • Strengthen how schools work together through Zone Inclusion Partnerships to share best practice and support each other 

  • Complete the introduction of a three-tier approach in secondary schools to support children at risk of exclusion, including 16 new SEMH bases and centres 

  • Complete rollout of mental health support teams to all schools by 2028 

  • Reduce waiting times for neurodevelopmental assessments  

  • Expand specialist provision and double the number of Specialist Resource Bases (SRBs) in mainstream schools by 2028 

  • Roll out a consistent nurture approach focused on positive relationships across all settings 

The plan builds on existing work through actions identified to respond to the Norfolk Area SEND and Alternative Provision Strategy (NASAPs), our Joint Strategic Needs Assessment and the county council's multi million pound Local First Inclusion programme to transform SEND education. 

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