Bracknell Forest Council and NHS Frimley ICB have promised ‘urgent and sustained improvements’ following a critical Ofsted and CQC report.

The report, published on 1 April, found widespread and systemic failings in SEND provision.

Cllr Roy Bailey, cabinet member for Children and Young People, said while there had been improvements, the council needed ‘to continue our sustained efforts’ to ensure the voices of children and young people with SEND were heard.

The report identified a number of areas for priority action, including: establishing a clear process to better identify the needs of children and young people; establishing a governance structure to provide effective oversight and monitoring of the SEND system; identifying and bridging gaps in commissioning; and taking immediate action to improve the quality of education, health and care (EHC) plans and annual reviews.

The partnership said it had taken steps to improve services, including: issuing education, health and care plans (EHCPs) on time; opening a social emotional and mental health (SEMH) school for 10 children in September 2025; plans for a new autism school for 100 children; development of two secondary specialist resource provisions (SRP); a stabilised SEND team and workforce; improvements to wait times for mental health services; and redesigning and recommissioning East Berkshire Children's Therapy Service to address wait times for certain therapy services from 1 July 2025.

Lee Peart is editor of Hemming Group’s Healthcare Management magazine.