SEND Improvement Board Independent Chair's Update from Kathryn Boulton 2 March 2026

Introduction

Hello and welcome to my Chair's Update, as Independent Chair of the Lancashire SEND Improvement Board.

I welcomed Board members, partners and observers to the March meeting. The meeting happened at a pivotal moment, right after the Schools White Paper and the SEND Consultation were published (February 2026). This national context really framed our discussion, with the Board keenly focused on keeping Lancashire’s improvement journey moving forward, even as we prepare for substantial system reform.

I emphasised the importance of approaching reform with both ambition and realism, maintaining momentum on local improvement activity while avoiding premature assumptions about national policy that remains subject to consultation and change.

Whilst we absolutely welcome the national direction of travel, it’s important to note that the current SEND Code of Practice still stands, inspections are ongoing, and—most critically—children, young people, and families cannot be left waiting while policies are debated.

The Board received a detailed presentation on the White Paper and the partnership’s current assessment of readiness. Amber Burton, SEND Consultant explained that Lancashire has not started from a standing position; much of the work undertaken over the past 12–18 months through the Priority Action Plan, SEND strategy development and strengthened partnership governance already aligns with the direction of travel set out nationally.

There was constructive and healthy challenge from Board members and Parent Carer Forum representatives. Key risks identified included:

The potential for reform ambition to outpace system capacity, particularly given workforce shortages and ongoing improvement pressures.
The risk that Individual Support Plans (ISPs) could add complexity rather than simplify support if roles, thresholds and accountability are unclear.
Significant uncertainty around the proposed “experts at hand” model, including workforce feasibility, equity of access and whether this represents genuinely new investment.

The Board agreed that SEND reform presents an opportunity to strengthen inclusive practice and early support, but only if risks are openly acknowledged, capacity is realistically assessed and co‑production is properly supported. I was clear that reform should be treated as a dynamic and evolving risk within our governance arrangements, rather than a fixed solution.

I invited Suliman Hussain, Participation and Co-production Worker and Olly Moores, SEND Young Advisor to give us an update on behalf of POWAR, the SEND youth forum.

POWAR SEND youth forum impact update

The Board was encouraged by updates on participation and engagement with children and young people. Members formally congratulated Leon on his national recognition and agreed that this demonstrates the confidence and impact that meaningful participation can achieve.

We approved proposals to:

Deliver a SEND Takeover Day, with a clear expectation that this leads to tangible outcomes rather than symbolic engagement.
Launch a shorter, more accessible and appealing SEND survey for children and young people.
Introduce a standardised case study template to consistently capture lived experience and impact.

I emphasised that participation must move beyond consultation to genuine influence, and that partner commitment to contributing case studies is essential for both improvement and inspection assurance.

Next on the agenda was an update from Michelle Pye and Miranda Hyman, co-chairs of the Lancashire Parent Carer Forum (LPCF).

Lancashire Parent Carer Forum (LPCF) impact update

The Lancashire Parent Carer Forum provided an update on recent engagement activity. While survey response numbers were modest, the feedback reinforced themes seen across other intelligence sources, including communication difficulties, long waiting times and frustration navigating pathways, alongside appreciation where staff are responsive and supportive.

The Board recognised the value of this intelligence not as isolated metrics, but as part of a wider system of feedback alongside complaints, tribunal data and case studies. We also acknowledged the increasing capacity pressures facing parent carers and the real risk of participation fatigue. I stressed that sustainable co‑production is not solely about funding, but also about clarity of expectations, prioritisation, and ensuring parent carers feel valued and supported.

ICB update

Jane Scattergood, Interim Chief Nursing Officer provided an update from the Integrated Care Board on significant organisational change and the impact this is having on capacity

and partnership working. There was appropriate challenge regarding the lack of clarity and timescales, particularly given the impact on families and schools.

Assurance was provided that no child would be discharged from the LSCFT ND Pathway without an alternative pathway and that a clearer recovery plan for neurodevelopmental pathways would be shared imminently.

The Board will continue to scrutinise this closely, recognising both the system pressures and the importance of transparency and confidence for families.

Priority Action Plan highlight report

Paul Turner, Director of Education and Inclusion shared an update about the priority action plan (PAP).

The Board reviewed progress against the Priority Action Plan. While improvements were noted in throughput and waiting times in some areas, members were clear that numerical performance alone is insufficient if not reflected in lived experience.

A consistent theme of challenge was the impact of communication, where unclear messaging and lack of visibility of progress can undermine confidence and escalate dissatisfaction, even when operational improvements are underway.

I supported the Board’s decision to commission a thematic review of communication and complaints across the SEND system, drawing together quantitative and qualitative intelligence to identify where improvement will have the greatest impact.

Performance and data

Grace Westwood, SEND Senior Manager shared an overview of performance reporting, including concerns about secondary delays, tribunal volumes and the absence of integrated health data.

Members were assured that progress is being made on information governance requirements to enable automated health data sharing, which remains a priority for improving system assurance.

Support whilst waiting update

The Board strongly welcomed updates on support available to families while waiting for assessment or diagnosis. The Partnership for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PiNS) programme and Family Hubs were highlighted as practical examples of early, inclusive, whole‑system approaches that can reduce escalation and improve experience.

I emphasised the importance of:

Evidencing impact beyond anecdotal examples.
Embedding successful approaches into core business rather than relying on time‑limited projects.
Strengthening links between education, health, Family Hubs and parent‑led activity.

These initiatives align closely with both current improvement priorities and the direction of SEND reform.

Risk register

The risk register was reviewed by the Board as a standing item. The Board agreed that existing risks around capacity, timeliness and financial sustainability remain valid, and that the implications of SEND reform should be explicitly reflected on the risk register as a dynamic and evolving issue.

Communication

As Chair, I would like to thank Board members, partners, parent carers and young people for their continued commitment, challenge and collaboration. The discussion at this meeting reinforced that while progress is being made, sustained improvement will depend on honesty about system constraints, disciplined prioritisation and keeping children, young people and families at the centre of everything we do.

The next meeting of the Board will take place on 13 April 2026, preceded by the one‑year‑on Stocktake session.

The Independent Chair's update will be written after each board meeting and published on the SEND Improvement Board webpage within 1-2 weeks, before being shared on social media. Formal minutes of the meeting will be written and published after they have been approved at the next board meeting.

A full communications strategy and delivery plan has been published on the Local Offer Lancashire SEND Partnership Communication and Engagement Strategy 2025–2028, which focuses on the principles of participation and co-production through The Lundy model and Four Cornerstones Model of co-production. Feedback mechanisms for children and young people are being developed by our Strategic Lead for Participation and Co-production.

If you are a parent carer and have any thoughts or comments, please contact the parent carer forum Lancashire Parent Carer Forum by emailing secretarylpcf@lancashireparentcarerforum.org.uk

If you have a child / young person interested in POWAR participation group please contact Suliman Hussain at Suliman.hussain@lancashire.gov.uk

If you are a partner, please do feedback through your organisation. Also don’t forget to sign up to our SEND Newsletter if you’re not already receiving it.