Improving Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services for children, young people and families across Derbyshire
News update – January 2026
Have your say on home to school travel proposals
A consultation event has been arranged to help people have their say on proposals to update home to school travel policies in Derbyshire.
The county council is seeking views on plans to change travel policies for eligible school children aged 5 to 16 years old, Post-16 learners and students with special educational needs and disabilities.
It follows updated legal guidance from the government providing greater clarity on the role councils play in helping to transport children to school, giving an opportunity to consider updating current policies to make them more inclusive and promote independence.
A public drop-in event is being held for people to find out more about the proposals. It will be held at County Hall, Matlock on Tuesday 10 February from 10am and 2pm.
Anyone can attend and officers will be on hand to explain the proposals and help people to fill in the survey.
People who cannot attend in person can arrange a virtual session on the day to speak to officers remotely for up to 20 minutes. This must be requested in advance by emailing: CS.HTSTConsultation@derbyshire.gov.uk
To find out more about the proposals and fill in the online survey, please visit:
Snap Surveys - Home to School Travel
For help to fill in the online questionnaire or to request a paper copy please email: admissions.transport@derbyshire.gov.uk, or telephone: 01629 537479.
The consultation closes at midnight on Sunday 22 February.
Consultation on resources for pupils with special educational needs
A consultation on proposals to establish an enhanced resource school for pupils with special educational needs in Glossop has been agreed by Derbyshire County Council.
Cabinet also agreed to seek views on plans for a special educational needs and disabilities unit at Whitfield St James’ CE (VC) School.
Councillors heard that the school operates an inclusive ethos and already supports pupils aged 5 to 11 years old who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) in an enhanced resource school-type setting.
Children with development delay or autism attend the Enhanced Resource School (ERS), known as the Sunflower Room, at the Chadwick Street school.
Youngsters aged 5 to 7 years old learn in the school’s specialist SEND base called the Bluebell Room and may then transfer to the ERS or, where appropriate, another special school at Key Stage 2.
The report to Cabinet said that in order to designate the 2 SEND provisions the council must publish a statutory notice to seek people’s views.
Councillor Simon Mabbott, Cabinet Member for SEND and Education, said: “The positive atmosphere and excellent support provided by all staff to children with special educational needs means this school is highly regarded by parents. By agreeing to go through this legal process, we’re opening the door for the school to make the arrangements official which means it can plan for the training and development of its staff to pave the way for even more children to thrive there.”
The consultation will run from 19 January to 15 February 2026.
For more details please visit:
Derbyshire County Council - Agenda for Cabinet on Friday, 9 January 2026, 10.00 am - Item 8
Key milestones on progress with SEND improvements
Our progress on improving SEND services in Derbyshire has been reported to the Department for Education and NHS England.
Partners were involved in a ‘stocktake’ and the outcome letter is expected soon. We’ll share the results when we have them.
The second ‘stocktake’ marks a year since the improvement plan agreed by partners began to be implemented at the beginning of 2025 and it follows a similar review last July.
Here to support you - a day in the life of Derbyshire's Information, Advice and Support Service (DIASS)
Gez Crawford - DIASS Team Member
Derbyshire Information, Advice and Support Service (DIASS) provides impartial information and advice about special educational needs and disabilities for parents, carers and young people who live in Derbyshire. It is an arm’s length service to Derbyshire County Council's SEND team.
Here, team member Gez Crawford answers questions about how she and her colleagues support families and carers.
Q - How do parents and carers contact you?
Gez - Our advice and email line is open 9:30am to 3pm Monday to Friday, bank holidays excepted, but you can look at our website or leave a message on our phone line at any time. We're open during the school holidays, when we're less busy than during term time.
Q - Do you spend your whole day answering inquiries?
Gez - Each of us is placed on a rota for the advice line. We receive contacts either by phone, message, email, contact form (from our website) or some Facebook contact requests. With each contact received we check to see if we have a record of any previous contact/support work prior to them calling or emailing. On days when we're not on the advice line we can focus more on our case work.
Q – What are some typical cases you deal with?
Gez - Here are a few examples from the advice line:
- I respond to email requesting information about refusal to assess appeal. I send an email with full details of what is required, where to send to and the application form.
- I deal with a personal budget query and complaint. I have a discussion with a parent around these issues and parent rights. I send a follow up email with information.
- I call parents in response to their email about issues with the EHC Hub. We discuss details and agree a date and time for further discussion and investigation.
- I forward emails with compliments about support received previously on the advice line.
- I call a parent about an appeal, requesting information. There was no answer but we already had their email address, so I sent an email with full information around the type of appeal they are interested in, and an application form.
- I make a call about Special Educational Needs support and I follow up by email with information discussed. When I checked the database I found the case had already been dealt with and the parent had forwarded an email chain and letter from the local authority. I called the parent again to explain what had happened.
- I spoke with a parent about their rights around permanent exclusion and the EHC needs assessment process. I followed up with an email and information after the call.
- A parent requested the contact form used to apply for an EHCP. I signposted to the council's SEND team, because this is not something the DIASS team does.
- I provided information around the tribunal process moving forward, after first attempting to call the parent. I sent information as requested via email.
Overall, queries coming into our advice line are varied. Parents and carers often come to us upset and angry.
Our aim is to support and empower by providing accurate advice and guidance around the issues being presented.
Not all advice line queries become cases; however, we treat each contact with confidentiality, impartiality and respect.