Improving Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services for children, young people and families across Derbyshire
News update – April 2026
A new approach to support young people into adulthood
A pilot project which aims to strengthen support for young people as they prepare to move into adulthood is underway in Derbyshire.
The Preparation for Adulthood pilot focuses on improving transition processes at every key stage of a young person’s journey to ensure planning starts early and develops consistently over time.
It is testing a more joined‑up approach from early years through primary and secondary education and into post‑16 and beyond.
Central to its success is co‑production with young people and their families, recognising their expertise and lived experience as essential to shaping effective and meaningful transition planning.
A wide range of stakeholders are actively involved in the project, including families, education settings, health partners, children’s and adult social care, SEND and inclusion teams and wider internal and external partners from across the SEND partnership.
They are helping to design, test and review transition pathways, sharing practice, identifying challenges and helping to shape practical solutions that work across the system.
By bringing education, health and social care partners together and placing the voice of the young person at the centre of decision‑making, the project supports smoother, more coordinated transitions that build towards key adulthood outcomes such as employment, independent living, community inclusion and health.
Learning from the pilot will be used to inform future practice and embed a more streamlined, whole‑system approach to transitions and Preparation for Adulthood across the county.
Working in Partnership with Parents to Strengthen Practice
As part of the project, targeted engagement sessions for parent carers have played a key role in strengthening practice. The sessions have provided information about a range of Preparation for Adulthood pathways, and the support available for children and young people and their families at different transition stages.
Engagement sessions have included:
- Transitions: exploring what we mean by transitions and the support on offer through key transition stages
- Preparation for Adulthood: including key services and support across education, health and social care
- Pathways into Employment for Young People with SEND: exploring post-16 options and supported employment pathway
- Supporting Pathways into Higher Education for Young People with SEND: exploring the range of post‑18 options available, including universities, apprenticeships and the support processes that can enable young people to progress successfully into further study
- Supported Internships in Derbyshire: exploring the range of supported internships on offer, and hearing from our interns and their families about their experiences.
Feedback gathered through these sessions has directly informed the project’s development, shaping how information is shared, when conversations take place and how outcomes are explored. This has supported more collaborative working between families and professionals, enabling earlier planning, clearer aspirations and a stronger focus on positive adulthood outcomes for young people.
Young People’s Feedback Driving Next Steps
We previously shared details of the Lived Experience Peer Challenge event that took part at the University of Derby where young people from our Derbyshire Youth Inclusion Forum joined forces with other youth inclusion forums from across the region to challenge managers and frontline teams responsible for SEND services. The young people had designed and delivered their own questions, focusing on the issues that matter the most to them, including travel, education and employment opportunities.
Building on the questions and challenges raised by young people, a follow up session took place where young people shared their suggested solutions to the issues that were discussed.
Solutions included:
- Supporting independent living skills via a targeted programme of support delivered in school
- Tailored support to travel independently and keep safe whilst accessing the community
- Practical ideas to enhance careers education.
These suggested solutions are being taken forward through the Preparation for Adulthood project, informing an action plan setting out the next steps for the project.
Derbyshire welcomes £14M funding boost for SEND school places
Derbyshire County Council has welcomed the news it is to receive £14 million from the government to create more school places for children with SEND.
The council will now be looking at where it can use this cash injection to deliver more specialist places so that pupils have access to inclusive education closer to home.
Money will be directed at mainstream schools to increase the number of places for pupils with additional needs as well as training staff so children do not have to travel long distances to get the education they deserve.
It will also be used to ensure sufficient special school places for children and young people with the most complex needs, reflecting the vital role these play in providing support for some of the most vulnerable children.
Important reminder: Apply for school/college transport for September 2026
Parents and carers of children and young people with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) are reminded that a new transport application must be submitted by 31 May 2026 if your child or young person is:
- Moving from Year 6 to Year 7
- Moving from Year 11 into Post‑16 education
- Already in Post‑16 education and continuing their studies in September 2026
Submitting your application by 31 May 2026 helps us to make sure transport arrangements can be planned and, where eligible, put in place for the start of the new academic year in September 2026.
Please note:
- You do not need to apply if your child is remaining at the same school and there is no change to their placement, from year 6 to year 7.
- If you have already submitted an application for a September 2026 start, please do not apply again — we will contact you in due course
- New applications are required where a child or young person is changing phase or moving into Post‑16 provision, even if they have previously received transport support
Applications received after 31 May 2026 may mean transport cannot be guaranteed to be in place for the start of term.
Policies, guidance and how to apply
• Our Home to School and Post‑16 Transport policies and guidance are available via the link below
• The online application route can also be accessed via the same link
Apply for transport and view our policies here:
Special educational needs (SEND) school transport - Derbyshire County Council
Derbyshire families to benefit from new Best Start in Life funding
Derbyshire Best Start in Life Local Plan which will help families with young children across the county to flourish and grow has been published.
It explains how support will be designed and delivered across the whole Early Years system over the next 3 years to improve the lives of children and families from pregnancy to the end of the reception school year.
Derbyshire County Council has been given £6.75 million in new Government funding to deliver the Best Start in Life programme. Among measures it will support are:
Best start family hubs
These will give children and families easier, joined‑up access to services. Working closely with partners and professionals from different services, they will strengthen and join up parenting support, health and early education services and support. This will also include access to dedicated SEND professionals.
Improving access to high quality early education and childcare
Supporting the creation of more places in school-based nurseries in areas of disadvantage and encouraging families to use their free early education hours. Enhancing high quality continuing professional development opportunities for staff in early years to support them to meet the needs of all children and families will also be prioritised.
Working in partnership to support early years children
Working closely with health services, schools, early years providers and community organisations to make sure that all families receive the right support at the right time.
Increasing parental support
The programme will improve and build on opportunities for parents to support their child’s early development, recognising the crucial role they play as their children’s first educators.
More information: Derbyshire's Family First Partnership - Derbyshire County Council
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