Why it matters: The DfE stocktake letter reveals that whilst improvements have been made in governance, quality assurance and timeliness since a damning inspection in November 2023, too many families are yet to feel the benefit of these changes.
The big picture: Following an inspection that identified "widespread and systemic failings" in Suffolk's SEND provision, the local area partnership has made significant strides in clearing the backlog of Education Health and Care Plans and improving multi-agency working. However, the Parent Carer Forum emphasised that many families still do not experience consistent, high-quality support.
The details: The partnership, which includes Suffolk County Council, NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board, NHS Norfolk and Waveney ICB and the Suffolk Parent Carer Forum, provided a comprehensive overview of improvement work at a stocktake meeting on 3 November 2025.
The DfE acknowledged progress in several key areas, including stronger governance structures, enhanced quality assurance frameworks and closer integration through weekly senior leader meetings. The partnership expects to clear the backlog of EHCPs by January 2026 and will deliver plans above the national average for timeliness.
However, the DfE letter states that "while considerable activity has taken place, and improvements are evidenced in terms of timeliness and reduction of complaints, too many families are yet to feel the benefit of this."
Families still experience frustration around statutory processes, transport, delays in issuing draft EHCPs and communication. Concerns also remain about waiting times for neurodevelopmental assessments and support for children who mask their difficulties.
What they're saying: Sarah-Jane Smedmor, executive director of children and young people's services at Suffolk County Council, said: "We welcome the Department for Education's recognition of the progress made across Suffolk, while being clear that we must go further and faster to ensure families genuinely feel the difference."
"Our priority now is translating those improvements into real, measurable impact for all children and young people with SEND and their families."
Dr Ed Garratt OBE, chief executive Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board, said: "The progress highlighted in the stocktake reflects the benefits of closer integration, shared leadership and clearer accountability across the system. We are committed to continuing this work, particularly in strengthening mental health and neurodevelopmental pathways and ensuring that children, young people and families receive the right support at the right time."
Sue Willgoss, chair of trustees for the Suffolk Parent Carer Forum, said: "Some parents and carers appreciate that there has been progress in some areas, but many families are still not experiencing the consistent, high-quality support they need."
"It is vital that improvements in process are driven by genuine co-production, matched by quality and better lived experiences for families. Once meaningful change is established, it needs to be embedded so the same old problems don't appear again."
What's next: The DfE has set out clear next steps for the partnership, including:
Producing the Local Area Inclusion Plan by 29 January 2026, which will replace the current Priority Action Plan and bring together all strands of improvement work into a comprehensive framework
Delivering a clear strategy for preparing for adulthood and transitions to be presented to the SEND Improvement Board on 26 March 2026
Providing assurance by 29 January 2026 on when they will achieve national average for EHCP timeliness with clear milestones
Completing a SEND sufficiency strategy by 31 December 2025 to support specialist places where required and work with mainstream schools to support SEND learners
Strengthening communication, co-production and use of lived experience
For context: Suffolk's SEND services have been under scrutiny since a 2019 inspection found significant failings. Following an Area SEND inspection in November 2023, inspectors identified "widespread and systemic failings" across the local area partnership, leading to the Department for Education issuing an improvement notice in May 2024.
The partnership has been working to address two priority actions and three areas for improvement, focusing on governance, multi-agency working, statutory EHCP processes, and engagement with families.
The bottom line: Whilst the Department for Education has recognised important progress in Suffolk's SEND improvement journey, the partnership must now accelerate efforts to ensure families experience tangible benefits from the changes being made, with intensive monitoring continuing until the next review at the end of the spring term.
