We are excited to share that Bury’s Inclusion Service is entering a bold and creative new chapter, one that places children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) at the heart of our educational system.
Our transformation is rooted in a systemic and holistic approach to improving outcomes for all learners. SEND isn’t a separate piece, it’s part of the whole picture when it comes to helping every child succeed.
At the core of our work is a new integrated, graduated model for early assessment, identification, and intervention. This approach is built on strong partnerships with schools, families, and communities, and is underpinned by a commitment to continuous professional development (CPD).
A key innovation is the reimagining of our Educational Psychology (EP) service through a Communities of Practice (CoP) model. These communities’ foster collaboration, shared learning, and capacity building across Bury. Each CoP will benefit from structured support, including dedicated input from Assistant Educational Psychologists (AsEPs) and oversight from qualified EPs. While we are still in the early stages of this approach, we are already seeing promising signs- greater school engagement, stronger partnerships, and a shared appetite for change.
These early successes are shaping our plans to extend this model across wider SEND services and align it with other key local authority functions, such as the School Attendance Team, Admissions, and the Virtual School. Our Statutory Assessment and Review colleagues will also be part of the “Team Around the School” model. We will also be building on the success of our previous SENCO networks, which will be brought back ‘in house’ from September 2025 and continue to offer borough-wide SENCO networks, with more targeted support incorporated into the CoP model and reflective of Bury’s local area strategic priorities and challenges.
We are also working closely with key community partners, including groups from the Bury Voluntary, Community and Faith Alliance, as well as individuals and organisations with lived experience. Their voices are essential as we co-create a system that is inclusive, responsive, and rooted in the real experiences of our families.
Together, we are building a resilient, responsive, and evidence-based system to ensure every child and young person in Bury receives the right support, at the right time, in the right way.
Wendy Young
Head of Service – Special Educational Needs (SEND) & Inclusion