SEND Improvement Notice: August 2025
Tameside Council has committed to completing all improvements to its Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services by December 2026, following a joint inspection by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in May 2025. The inspection identified significant concerns in how SEND services are planned, delivered, and monitored across the local area.
Key issues highlighted include:
- Delays in accessing services, particularly for children and young people with neurodevelopmental needs
- Weaknesses in Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans
- Broader systemic challenges in service coordination and delivery
In response, the Department for Education (DfE) has issued an updated Improvement Notice to the Tameside Local Area Partnership. This updated notice reflects the findings of the inspection and sets out new timelines for improvement, which have been incorporated into an updated SEND Strategy and Priority Action Plan.
The Priority Action Plan has been co-produced with families, children, young people, and key partners to ensure that services reflect lived experiences and meet local needs. The Council is working closely with the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board (ICB) and other stakeholders to deliver the plan.
Progress against the plan will be:
- Reviewed at least every six months
- Monitored through clear actions, ownership, and impact measures
- Informed by ongoing support and recommendations from the DfE
The Improvement Notice also calls for strengthened leadership, governance, and joint working, with evidence of progress demonstrated through regular reviews and robust data. Tameside Council will work closely with a DfE-appointed adviser and other external experts to ensure the delivery of sustainable improvements.
This renewed commitment marks a critical step forward in ensuring that all children and young people with SEND in Tameside receive the support they need to thrive.
