The Suffolk Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Needs Assessment 2024 provides a detailed analysis of the needs and experiences of children and young people with SEND across the county. This assessment highlights the increasing demand for SEND services, the challenges faced by families and professionals, and the importance of improving service provision to ensure equitable outcomes for all.
The SEND Needs Assessment explores SEND data, including prevalence, trends in identification and diagnosis, service gaps, and the impact of wider inequalities. It also references previous work capturing the voices of children, parents, and practitioners to ensure lived experiences inform future strategies.
Key findings and recommendations include:
- A significant rise in demand for SEND services, with projections suggesting further increases in the coming years
- The importance of early intervention, timely diagnoses, and accessible services to address complex and multiple needs
- Strategic priorities emphasising communication, transition support, and holistic system improvements to meet evolving demands
Full findings and recommendations can be found in the document linked below
This needs assessment underpins Suffolk’s SEND Strategy 2024-2029, which aims to transform services and support for children and young people with SEND, fostering collaboration between health, education, and social care sectors.
The SEND Needs Assessment is a resource for policymakers, practitioners, families, and the broader community, serving as a foundation to achieve meaningful, lasting change in SEND provision across Suffolk.