Stockton-on-Tees Local Area SEND and Alternative Provision Strategy 2025 to 2030

Foreword from Councillor Claire Besford, Stockton-on-Tees Council Cabinet Member for Children and Young People.

I am delighted to share with you the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Alternative Provision (AP) Strategy for Stockton-on-Tees.

Our vision for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities or who may require alternative provision is the same as for all children and young people: that Stockton-on-Tees is a great place to grow up, where children and young people are protected from harm and supported to be the best they can be in life. This strategy sets out the priorities and commitments that will enable us to deliver on this vision.

This strategy has been co-developed at every stage with children, young people, parents, carers and key partners from Stockton-on-Tees Council, North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board, Stockton Parent Carer Forum, education, and health service providers. We have listened carefully and the voice of our children, young people, parents, carers, and the professionals that work with them have shaped the commitments of this strategy which will guide our partnership work over the next five years.

I am proud to present this strategy and look forward to working together in partnership to deliver on our commitments to ensure our children and young people with SEND and those who may require alternative provision thrive and reach their full potential.

We are delighted to introduce our local area SEND and AP strategy. This strategy sets out our shared vision and commitments to ensure that every child and young person with SEND in the borough is supported to thrive. The voices of children, young people, parents, and carers are the foundation of our strategy, and I would like to thank all of those who have contributed to its development.

Foreword from Majella McCarthy, Director of Children's Services for Stockton-on-Tees and chair of the local area SEND Strategic Group and Martin Short, Director of Delivery (Tees Valley) North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board.

We are clear that whilst some progress has been made there is more to do to improve outcomes for our children and young people, and this strategy outlines how we will work together as a partnership across health, education and social care to make and sustain the changes that are needed across our local system. We will work to a detailed yearly action plan, which will be overseen by the local area SEND Strategic Group so that we are held to account to ensure we maintain a rigorous focus on the delivery of our commitments to our children, young people, parents and carers.