Help shape the area's next Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Strategy

Partners, families, children, and young people across West Northamptonshire are being invited to share their views to help shape the area’s next Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Strategy.

07 April 2026

As the current 2023–2026 SEND & Alternative Provision Strategy is in its final year, West Northamptonshire Council and the wider SEND Partnership have published an update on progress made so far which is available on our website here. The strategy has delivered improvements across education, health, care, and community support, thanks to the valuable contributions of professionals, voluntary sector organisations, and local families.

Work is now beginning on the development of a new SEND Strategy for West Northamptonshire, aligned to the national Every Child Achieving and Thriving plan. To ensure the next strategy reflects the needs, experiences and priorities of the whole community, the Council is encouraging as many people as possible to take part in two newly launched surveys.

Surveys now open
Two surveys are available from 7 April to 8 May 2026:

• Survey for children and young people
• Survey for families and professionals 

Each survey takes around 10–15 minutes to complete. Responses are anonymous unless participants choose to provide their contact details.

Why your views matter
Feedback from the surveys will play a vital role in informing the next SEND Strategy. Responses will be used to:

• identify the key themes and challenges affecting children and young people with SEND
• shape a series of co production workshops with families, young people and practitioners
• set long term priorities across education, health, specialist support, and community inclusion.
• ensure lived experience is central to future planning and decision making.

West Northamptonshire Council is encouraging all professionals working with children and young people, as well as families, to complete the survey and share it widely within their networks to help ensure a broad and representative range of voices.