A Worcestershire Strategy for Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) has been created for the period of 2017 to 2021. This has been approved by the Health and Wellbeing Board which is made up of partners inside and outside of the council.

The strategy sets out the vision that 'in Worcestershire we want all children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities to be truly seen and respected as individuals and to be the best they can be'. To deliver this vision, five priorities have been identified based on what parent carers, children, young people and professionals have told us is important.

These priorities are:

1. A person-centred approach – putting children and young people at the centre of planning and decision making about their own care and support
2. Integration and operational delivery – co-ordinating services across education, health and care to improve the Education Health and Care Plan process
3. Early intervention - allowing families to be able to access information and support that can be helpful at an early stage as soon as problems or concerns arise
4. Preparation for adulthood – creating a whole life approach to improve the personal transition experience and journey to adulthood
5. Workforce development – developing a multi-agency workforce that understand SEND and works together to achieve good outcomes