Hackney Council launches survey on an ambitious new SEND and Inclusion Strategy
Residents and organisations invited to share views by 3 October
Hackney Council launched this week a survey on the new draft Hackney Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Inclusion Three Year Strategy, inviting residents and organisations to provide feedback on plans designed to transform support for children and young people with SEND and their carers across the borough.
The strategy, co-produced by children and young people, families, professionals and practitioners, outlines Hackney’s vision and priorities for building inclusive environments that offer the right support at the right time for children and young people with SEND. It aligns with Hackney’s wider draft Education Strategic Plan, and introduces a new system-wide framework for measuring and monitoring progress.
“We want Hackney to be a place where every child and young person with special educational needs and disabilities can thrive and have access to the support they need to live happy, healthy, fulfilling and independent lives.
“We are incredibly grateful to all of our children and young people, families and partners who generously offered their time and shared with us their lived experiences. Their feedback was invaluable in helping us shape our priorities for the next few years.”
Councillor Anya Sizer, Deputy Cabinet Member for Families, Early Years and SEND
There has been a significant increase in the number of children and young people identified with a special educational need in Hackney since the last SEND strategy was published in 2022. One in five children and young people now have an Educational, Health and Care Plan or receive SEN Support. This is higher than the London average of 16.8% and the national average of 19.5% as reported by the DfE returns in January 2025.
The new strategy addresses these challenges by outlining five key priorities for the next three years, in line with the responses received from the community during the previous engagement phases:
- Emotional wellbeing and family-centered support;
- Inclusive environments and belonging;
- Transition and future pathways;
- Waiting times and equitable access to support;
- Workforce development, training and resources.
The strategy will apply to all children and young people in Hackney aged 0-25, identified with a special educational need and / or disability, who have an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) or receive SEN Support.
An extract from the draft strategy reads: “Inclusion means identifying and supporting the full range of needs through flexible, personalised support. This starts with a strong universal offer, with an emphasis on welcoming all children, young people and families and creating a culture of belonging in Hackney communities.”
The survey is open from 8 September to 3 October. Those interested are encouraged to review the draft strategy and submit their comments online, at https://consultation.hackney.gov.uk/children-education/hackney-send-and-inclusion/.
The final strategy will be presented for approval to Hackney Cabinet in December.