Norfolk County Council is working out how to respond to sweeping national reforms to special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision, announced by the Department for Education on 23 February 2026.

The Children, Families and Community Select Committee discussed the reforms at its 13 March meeting, hearing that while many aspects align with work Norfolk is already doing, some significant questions remain unanswered — including how future funding will be allocated locally.

What the reforms mean for Norfolk

Officers told the committee that Norfolk's existing Local First Inclusion Transformation Programme already aligns closely with the direction of the national reforms, meaning no major change in direction is expected. There has been positive progress under the programme, including reduced school exclusions and successful reintegration of pupils into mainstream education from Specialist Resource Bases (SRBs).

However, some aspects of the reforms are national policy decisions outside local control, and detailed guidance from the government is still awaited on several key areas.

Funding questions remain unanswered

A committee member asked whether new national funding would fully cover the cost of implementing the reforms. Officers said early indications suggest the reforms are intended to be fully funded nationally, but that local contributions would still be required. The government has not yet confirmed how much each council will receive, or how future deficits in the High Needs Block — which funds specialist SEND provision — would be managed going forward.

Officers said a workforce gap analysis would form part of Norfolk's implementation plan.

Election timing creates governance challenge

A significant practical difficulty is that the government's deadline for councils to submit an early implementation plan falls during the local election period in May. Committee members raised concerns about this, and officers confirmed the government has been made aware.

The implementation plan will still require formal sign-off by the council's executive. Officers said extraordinary governance arrangements may be needed to bridge the gap before new committees are formed after the elections, and that the Cabinet Member would work with the council's Leader and the DfE to find an appropriate route.

Family involvement guaranteed

Officers confirmed that day-to-day SEND delivery will continue throughout the reform process. Engagement with families and stakeholders — through webinars, face-to-face sessions, and work with Family Voice Norfolk — is built into both national expectations and Norfolk's existing practice.

The committee formally requested that member oversight of Norfolk's response to the SEND reforms begins at the earliest opportunity after the May elections.