The Warwickshire SEND and Inclusion Strategy 2024-2029: Will It Really Help?

Warwickshire County Council has launched its Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Inclusion Strategy 2024-2029, aiming to improve the lives of children with additional needs. This strategy was officially launched in March 2025, with a special webinar on March 12, 2025, to introduce the plan and engage with parents, educators, and stakeholders.  

 

But will this plan actually help, or is it just another strategy that sounds good on paper? 

 

 

If successfully implemented, Warwickshire’s new SEND strategy could transform support for children with special educational needs by focusing on: 

 

✅ Early Identification & Intervention – Ensuring children receive the help they need as soon as possible, rather than waiting years for assessments. 

 

✅ More Inclusive Education – Providing better resources so children can stay in mainstream schools instead of being forced into specialist settings due to lack of support. 

 

✅ Better Collaboration with Families – Giving parents a bigger role in decision-making and ensuring their voices are heard when planning their child’s education. 

 

✅ Enhanced Training for Teachers – Providing educators with the skills and confidence to support neurodivergent pupils effectively in the classroom. 

 

 

While the strategy is ambitious, there are major challenges that could prevent real change: 

 

❌ Funding Shortages – Without increased investment, schools will continue to struggle to provide adequate support, and EHCPs may still be denied due to budget constraints. 

 

❌ Staffing Issues – Warwickshire has faced shortages of educational psychologists and SEN staff, leading to long delays in assessments and support. 

 

❌ Implementation Gap – Promises mean nothing if they aren’t backed up with action. If training, funding, and accountability don’t improve, families may see little actual change. 

 

❌ Lack of Accountability – Without clear consequences for failure, schools and local authorities may continue to delay or deny support to children who desperately need it. 

 

 

To ensure this strategy works, parents and carers must stay proactive. Here’s how: 

 

🔹 Know Your Rights – Familiarise yourself with SEND law and what your child is entitled to, so you can challenge unfair decisions. 

 

🔹 Push for Early Intervention – If you suspect your child needs support, request an assessment as soon as possible and keep a record of all communications. 

 

🔹 Hold Schools and the Council Accountable – If your child is not receiving the promised support, don’t hesitate to escalate concerns to SENDIASS, the Local Government Ombudsman, or tribunals if necessary. 

 

🔹 Stay Involved in Consultations – Engage with Warwickshire’s SEND forums and parent groups to ensure your voice is heard in shaping local policies. 

 

 

Warwickshire’s SEND and Inclusion Strategy has the potential to improve the system, but only if it is properly funded, implemented, and monitored. Without real action, families may still be left battling for basic support. 

 

It’s time to make sure these promises turn into real changes for children who need them the most.