Welcome to PaCC’s May 2026 Round-Up
Since the SEND White Paper consultation landed back in March, we’ve been busier than ever. Recently, we were invited by the Director of Education, Georgina Clarke-Green, to work together with local partners on developing Brighton & Hove’s SEND Reform Plan – how changes proposed in the SEND White Paper will be implemented. Brighton and Hove City Council (BHCC) have led on this work.
Read the latest communication from Brighton & Hove City Council on the SEND Reforms.
The government has stipulated that local SEND reform plans should be co-produced with parent carer forums (PCFs). Unfortunately, it has only allowed a short time in which to do this. What’s more, this planning work should of course wait until the consultation process has concluded and the proposals are updated in response to what is likely lots of feedback.
We and other PCFs in the National Network continue to represent the community’s concerns, locally, regionally and nationally, as much as we can. PaCC have fed back to the Department for Education that the imposed timescales of the reforms mean co-production is significantly compromised.
Dads survey
In collaboration with the Dads’ Group, we co-produced a survey that was sent to male carers. The survey explores male carers’ experience and views of SEND services; the report and recommendations will be shared with the Local Authority and other services. Click here to read the Dads group survey report.
PINS and AiS
Our work with schools in Brighton & Hove continues – click here for PINS and AiS updates. While the funding for the Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) ended in March, the Autism in Schools (AiS) work is extended for now, and we know from feedback how impactful this is in helping parent carers feel their voices are heard and that they are supported in working in partnership with school staff. We are trying to ensure that learning from these programmes feeds into the SEND reform planning work above.
Wellington House closure consultation
BHCC proposal to close Wellington House: Wellington House is an in-house day service for adults with Learning Disabilities. PaCC have worked with BHCC to ensure that the consultation process around the proposed closure includes the views of parent carers who have young people needing adult day services or who will need them when they leave full time education. We are organising an in-person meeting on Tuesday 2nd June 10.30am – midday, at the Friends Meeting House, Ship Street, Brighton, BN1 1AF. Find out more about Wellington House consultation and book a place.
A word about staffing
PaCC’s staffing capacity to cover all of the work streams across education, health and social care remains an ongoing concern (the current core staff team operates within a 45 hour per week structure). PaCC continue to raise these concerns around capacity with BHCC directors and health commissioners, and we hope there will be an opportunity for review as part of the planned SEND reform work. Meanwhile we are also planning for Paolo’s retirement this summer. Watch this space for news soon!
Join the PaCC
All this ongoing engagement and outreach work means that PaCC membership is growing in numbers and diversity. Do you want to join PaCC? You can become a member by filling a very short online form, and then you can join PaCC Facebook too – find out how to get involved here.