Portsmouth’s SEND and Alternative Provision (SENDAP) Strategy sets out how organisations across the city work together to improve outcomes for children and young people aged 0 to 25 with special educational needs and disabilities, and for their families.
The Portsmouth SENDAP Strategy 2024–2029 remains our current strategy while we develop the next local area SEND Strategy. It will continue to guide our work until the refreshed strategy is published, which is planned for January 2027.
Read the current Portsmouth SENDAP Strategy 2024 - 2029 (Word document).
Developing the next strategy
Work is underway to develop Portsmouth’s next local area SEND Strategy. The strategy will be evidence-led and informed by the SEND self-evaluation framework, local data and wider SEND and alternative provision intelligence.
Consultation will involve children and young people, parents and carers, education settings, health and social care partners, voluntary and community organisations, and professionals across the local area.
Early consultation is exploring themes including mainstream inclusion, early identification and intervention, workforce development, preparation for adulthood, and clearer communication and partnership working. These are emerging themes and are not yet the final agreed priorities of the new strategy.
Relationship with SEND Reform
The new strategy will set the long-term priorities and outcomes for Portsmouth’s local SEND system. It will align with, but remain distinct from, the SEND Reform Plan, which focuses on transformation and delivery. This separation will help ensure that the strategy provides clear long-term direction without duplicating operational reform activity.
Schools White Paper
We are considering the expectations set out in the Schools White Paper as part of our preparation and consultation. The White Paper is not yet statute. References to it describe anticipated direction only and do not change current statutory duties, eligibility criteria, Education, Health and Care Plan processes, or children’s and families’ existing rights and entitlements.
What happens next
Feedback and updated evidence will be used to develop proposed strategic priorities and outcomes. These will be tested through further consultation before the new strategy is finalised.
Until the refreshed strategy is approved and published, the current SENDAP Strategy and all existing statutory duties and processes remain in place. Updates and opportunities to take part will be published on this page and through the Portsmouth SEND Local Offer.