West Northamptonshire families and young people have been granted an extension to share their experiences regarding local Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services. The consultation, originally set to conclude in May, will now remain open until Wednesday, 17 June 2026.
The West Northamptonshire Council and the SEND Partnership are seeking feedback to draft the next strategic roadmap for the region. This new plan will succeed the current 2023–2026 SEND & Alternative Provision Strategy, which is now entering its final year of implementation.
New Deadline for SEND Consultation
The extension aims to capture a broader range of perspectives from across the community, ensuring that the resulting strategy is grounded in the lived experiences of those it serves.
| Survey Type | Target Audience |
|---|---|
| Children & Young People | Individuals with SEND under 25 |
| Families & Professionals | Parents, carers, and service providers |
Each survey takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete. Participants can remain anonymous, though there is an option to provide contact details for those wishing to stay involved in future co-production workshops.
Impact on Future Local Services
The feedback gathered through these surveys directly influences how education, health, and care services are delivered across West Northamptonshire. The West Northamptonshire Council has confirmed that the data will be used to identify specific challenges currently facing families and to set long-term priorities for community inclusion.
This local initiative aligns with the national “Every Child Achieving and Thriving” plan, focusing on progress made in specialist support and alternative provision. By extending the window for responses, the SEND Partnership intends to ensure that the next strategy reflects the actual needs of the local population rather than just statistical trends.
Participation and Next Steps
Work is already underway to analyze the initial responses, which will inform a series of co-production workshops. These sessions will bring together families and practitioners to refine the priorities for the upcoming years.
Residents who support or work with children and young people are encouraged to share the survey links within their own networks to maximize community reach before the June 17 cutoff. Progress updates on the current strategy’s achievements are available via the council’s online portal for those wishing to review existing service benchmarks.
Source: West Northamptonshire Council
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