SEND Partnership Newsletter A SPACE DEDICATED TO SHARING UPDATES | 12TH may 2025

Lewis Teasdale, Head of SEND

Lewis will be the Local Authority Nominated Officer (LANO) for the SEND Area Inspection. The LANO will act as a single point of contact on behalf of the local area partnership throughout the inspection. Lewis will liaise with the lead inspector throughout the inspection, so that inspection activities can be coordinated effectively.

Clare Wilson, Designated Clinical Officer for SEND (DCO)

Clare is the Designated Clinical Officer (DCO) for special educational needs and disability (SEND) for Bromley. She works in the NHS for the Southeast London Integrated Care System (SEL ICS). Her role is to provide clinical guidance and leadership to health colleagues across the SEND Partnership to ensure children and young people 0-25 with SEND have the right health support to achieve the best outcomes they possibly can. She is also responsible for ensuring that the NHS in Bromley is meeting its statutory responsibilities in regards to SEND.

Christa Ncube, Designated Social Care Officer (DSCO)

Christa has recently joined the London Borough of Bromley as the Designated Social Care Officer (DSCO). The role is to support social care colleagues across the SEND Partnership to ensure children and young people 0-25 with SEND have the right social care support to achieve the best outcomes they possibly can.

Bromley SEND Partnership

The SEND Partnership seeks to demonstrate how we engage with our children and young people and their families through our You Said, We Did reports. We have listened to feedback and changed the format of these reports to make them more accessible. Sign up for the SEND Local Offer social media to see more.

Navigating the SEND Local Offer together!

We are excited to offer education settings the opportunity to host a ‘Navigating the SEND Local Offer Together’ session. This interactive workshop is designed to help parent carers explore the SEND Local Offer and discover the support available for their children.

As a bonus feature, the session can be tailored to meet the specific needs of the setting and its community. For example, if the setting primarily supports children with complex needs, we can arrange for a professional from the Children’s Disability Team (CDT) to join the session.

During the event, parents will have the chance to explore the SEND Local Offer website with guided support, gain insights into local services and provisions, and ask questions to receive advice relevant to their child’s needs.

Bromley launches its Supported Internship Programme!

Bromley Council is thrilled to introduce a fantastic new opportunity for young people aged 18-25 with a Bromley EHC plan, our Supported Internship Programme in September 2025.

In partnership with the Oaks Specialist College, a Microsoft Showcase College, this initiative offers:

• High-quality work placements within Bromley Council
• Personalised support from job coaches, tutors, and accessibility teams
• Skill development in employment, independence, and essential life areas
• A structure, inclusive learning environment with tailored tutoring
• Future career support from an outstanding careers team

This is a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on experience, develop essential skills, and prepare for future employment in a nurturing and supportive environment. It underscores our dedication to provide meaningful employment opportunities for young people with SEND.

SEND Celebration

Planning is underway for the 2025 SEND Celebration event which is taking place in November hosted by the SEND Partnership. The event provides an opportunity to share and celebrate the achievements of children and young people who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and those who support them.

This year the theme is 'Our Dreams Matter'.

During the month long SEND Celebration there are number of different events and activities including:

• SEND Local Offer Live!
• In the Spotlight – a creative arts exhibition/competition.
• Social Media Shout Outs – an opportunity to showcase achievements big or small.
• Information stations
• Bromley SEND Awards

For more information please contact SENDMatters@bromley.gov.uk.

The SEND Local Area Inspection

The SEND Programme Team have released a short animation, to help children and young people understand what to expect from the SEND Local Area Inspection. The inspection focuses on how SEND services in Bromley support children and young people with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND). The animation explains the inspection process, where inspectors visit schools and engage with students, teachers, and families to assess the effectiveness of current services and identify areas for improvement.

The initiative emphasises the importance of community feedback, encouraging residents to share their experiences and suggestions with the inspectors. To learn more about the inspection and how you can contribute, watch the informative video.

SEND Matters Live for Parents and Carers!

Bromley Council hosted a SEND Matters Live event for parents and carers on Wednesday, 7th May from 10am to 12.30pm, at Community House in Bromley. This event was an opportunity for parents and carers to connect with Senior Leaders from the SEND Partnership and engage in meaningful discussions about the future of SEND services.

The event featured presentations from the Bromley Parent Carer Forum and Your Voice in Health and Social Care, who shared valuable insights from the recent 'We Hear You' event. Key outcomes highlighted the need for improved timeliness, consistency, and transparency in communication, better delivery and implementation of Education, Health, and Care (EHC) plans, and more accessible and consistent healthcare provision.

In addition, the five strategic SEND priorities were discussed, with updates provided to keep everyone informed on the latest developments. An interactive session allowed parents to share experiences directly with Senior Leaders and to identify areas for improvement. Parent Carers offered suggestions such as better transparency, flexible thinking, and individual consideration for each child or young person in order for them to achieve their best possible outcomes.

The event concluded with a shared commitment to continue working together to improve SEND services and support for families in Bromley. The event's openness and honesty promoted a focused perspective, leaving everyone with a clear sense of purpose to make a difference.

Useful links

👉 Like, follow, and share the SEND Local Offer Facebook, Instagram and X social media platforms to stay connected. #SpreadTheWord.

If there are any areas you would like to learn more about, or if you would like something included in future newsletters, please email sendmatters@bromley.gov.uk.