A huge thank you to the nearly 1,900 families, young people and professionals who shared their experiences in the CQC/Ofsted SEND inspection survey.

Your voices made a real impact, and the inspection report has now been published.
We appreciate every response. We’re grateful for everyone who engages with our work — and if you would like to take a more active role in the Parent Carer Forum, we would really welcome you Find out more
A full re‑inspection will take place within approximately three years.
Ofsted and the CQC require the local area partnership to update and publish its strategic plan reflecting the report’s recommendations. You can find the report here
Following the full inspection in November 2025, inspectors provided an overall summary judgement on the local area partnership. This outcome reflected their evaluation of how effectively the partnership’s arrangements had supported the experiences and outcomes of children and young people with SEND.
Summary of the Ofsted Area SEND Inspection (Buckinghamshire Local Area Partnership)
Overall Findings
  • The inspection found that children and young people with SEND in Buckinghamshire often experience delays in having their needs identified. This leads to late access to appropriate support, including timely school places, diagnostic assessments, and treatment.
  • Education, Health & Care (EHC) Plans
  • EHC plans were described as:
  • Not easy to read,
  • Often lacking sufficient detail about children’s needs and required support.
  • However, the report notes that recent changes across the partnership are beginning to improve quality, and inspectors did observe signs of improvement.
  • Current Experiences of Children & Young People
  • Children and young people with SEND experience:
  • Long waits for needs assessment and suitable school places, with many temporarily placed in alternative provision (AP) while waiting.
  • Variable support depending on setting.
  • Those who are electively home educated often benefit from quicker assessments and strong multi‑disciplinary involvement.
  • Disabled children in specialist education were more likely to have a better understanding of their current support.
  • Local Offer & Community Support
  • While some programmes (e.g., holiday and food programme) are well received, many families struggle to find local activities suitable for children with SEND. Signposting and access to community provision is inconsistent.

Young People’s Voice

  • Groups like ‘Youth Voice Bucks’ and ‘Shout Out for SEND’ represent the views of children and young people effectively, giving leaders insight into lived experiences and areas needing change.