Decision - Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Sufficiency Plan 2026-2029

Brighton and Hove Cabinet Decided 16 Jul 2026 · effective 25 Jul 2026 for determination Key decision GET /api/coverage

Decision maker

Cabinet

Report author

Michelle Hunt

Published

17 Jul 2026

Reference

7650

As published

the council's own words, unedited

This report provides an update on SEND sufficiency

1) Cabinet agrees to note the programme of new and expanded specialist provision set out in the latest draft SEND Sufficiency Plan 2026-2029 (attached at Appendix 1). 2) Cabinet agrees the programme of new and expanded specialist provision set out in the draft SEND Sufficiency Plan 2026–2029 and detailed in Section 3 of the report. 3) Cabinet notes that individual provisions set out in the draft Plan which require statutory processes — including prescribed alterations under the Education and Inspections Act 2006 — will be subject to separate decisions and public consultation in due course, and that this report does not itself authorise any such alteration.

Parsed from the document

gpt-5.6-luna-2026-07-09 · 6649/1973 tokens · 14958ms · parsed 8 Sep 2026 11:35

Everything below was read out of a PDF by a model It is useful and it is not authoritative. The document it came from is linked in the rail, and where the two disagree the document is right.

The draft plan sets out how Brighton and Hove will expand and improve specialist education and support for children and young people with SEND over the next three years. It prioritises autism and SEMH provision, early years and primary support, stronger post-16 pathways, and reducing reliance on placements outside the city.

Recommendation

Adopt and develop the SEND Sufficiency Plan through engagement with education providers, children and young people, families and other stakeholders, with delivery monitored termly through the SEND and AP Partnership Board.

Financial impact

The High Needs Block was just under £40 million in 2024/25 and just over £40 million in 2025/26; approximately £9.2 million was spent on mainstream EHCPs and resource provisions and £23.6 million on special school provision. External school-based placements cost £5.82 million in 2025/26.

Ward affected

city-wide

Stakeholders named

parsed

children and young people with SENDparents and carersschoolseducation providersfurther education providerslocal authoritieshealth servicesparent representative groupsSEND and AP Partnership Board

Next steps

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Identify and agree sites for primary and secondary autism support bases during 2025/26.
Open and expand the planned autism, SEMH, early years and primary specialist provisions.
Review and rationalise SEMH provision, including the Central Hub Brighton.
Develop post-16 courses and increase supported internships.
Continue engagement with schools, providers, children and young people, families and stakeholders.
Monitor the plan termly and update it through the SEND and AP Partnership Board.

Precedents

not built

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