BCP Council criticised for failing to respond to national SEND reforms consultation
BCP Council is facing criticism after an FOI revealed it didn’t submit a response to the Government’s consultation on SEND reforms
A Freedom of Information response confirmed the council did not formally respond to the consultation, which sought views on proposals to improve outcomes and create a more consistent national system of SEND support.
Instead, the council said it spent the consultation period focusing on translating the proposed reforms into “a local deliverable model” for families, children and young people.
The revelation has prompted criticism from councillors Joe Salmon and Kate Salmon, who had previously tabled a motion calling on the council to submit its own response.
Cllr Joe Salmon described the omission as “a damning failure” by the Liberal Democrat administration.
“Families were told BCP Council was taking the SEND consultation seriously and that local feedback would shape a comprehensive council response,” he said.
“But an FOI has now confirmed that BCP Council never submitted one.”
He argued the consultation covered fundamental issues including Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), schools’ responsibilities and the legal protections relied upon by families when support breaks down.
Cllr Kate Salmon said while reform of the SEND system was necessary, any changes must not weaken children's legal rights.
“Nobody is against reforming the SEND system,” she said. “But none of that replaces enforceable legal rights.”
She warned that with around 90% of BCP’s SEND funding deficit potentially affected by future reforms, the council should have been explicit that children's rights “are not negotiable”.
Responding to the criticism, cabinet member for children and young people Richard Burton said the council had instead contributed through the Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS), whose national response was supported by BCP’s director of children's services.
Cllr Burton argued this represented the most effective way of ensuring local voices were heard in Whitehall.
He added that the council had been “at the forefront of calling for meaningful national SEND reform”, working closely with government, the Department for Education and local families to shape a local reform plan focused on earlier intervention, greater inclusion and improved multi-agency working.
The council said it remained confident its local SEND reform programme would improve outcomes for children and young people across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.