A new strategy to improve support and standards for children in Cheshire East with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) has been agreed. 

The Cheshire East SEND and Alternative Provision (AP) Strategy and Development Plan sets out a clear and ambitious vision for 2025–2028. Developed by the Cheshire East 0–25 SEND Partnership, which includes the council, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board, local schools and educational settings, health providers, and the Cheshire East Parent Carer Forum—the strategy aims to ensure that every child and young person with SEND, receives the right support, in the right place, at the right time. 

The updated strategy brings together key priorities into a single, unified plan. It aligns with the council's wider transformation programme and addresses and aligns with critical areas such as: 

• Managing increasing financial pressures on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) 
• Making developments in line with findings from feedback, inspections and the SEND self-evaluation (SEF) 
• National improvement work 

At the heart of the strategy is a shared commitment to helping children and young people with SEND to be HAPI: 

• H - Happy and Healthy 
• A - Achieving their potential 
• P - Part of their communities 
• I - Independent as possible, making choices about their future 

Councillor Laura Crane, chair of Cheshire East Council's children and families committee, said: "We're committed to ensuring every child in Cheshire East has the best possible start in life, which means our plans must fully include the SEND community. Together we will make Cheshire East a great place to be young. 

"Our updated SEND strategy sets out our priorities and has been shaped through close collaboration with local partners and families, whose input has been invaluable. 

"Earlier this year we conducted a survey with our children and young people with SEND and their parents/carers, as well as with staff within our educational settings and wider partnership. We are confident we now have a clearer picture on what improvements need to be made and what is already working well." 

The strategy was approved at the children and families committee meeting on 9 June. The full SEND and AP 'One Plan' is available to view on the 0–25 SEND Partnership webpage.