27 November 2025: Children and Young People Committee update
This update provides a summary of key developments presented to the Children and Young People Committee on 27 November 2025. Bristol continues to make progress in supporting children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), building on the improvements reported earlier this year.
Progress on Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)
In September, 71 new requests for Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments (EHCNAs) were received, bringing the total for the year to 1,083. We're focused on getting more Education, Health and Care Plans completed. In September, we finished 97 plans, bringing the total this year to 784, 39% more than last year.
Educational Psychology capacity has also grown, with 1,003 reports completed so far in 2025, representing a 31 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.
While only 15 per cent of plans were completed within 20 weeks in September, we're working hard to improve timeliness and quality. We are investing in processes, resources, and systems to ensure EHCPs are completed more quickly and meet statutory requirements. Regular internal quality checks, supported by external scrutiny and feedback from Bristol Parent Carers, are helping us make plans clearer, person-centred, and more useful for families.
School Organisation Strategy
The new School Organisation Strategy (2025–2028) sets out plans to reduce surplus primary places caused by falling birth rates, while expanding SEND provision and investing in Early Years education following the rollout of the UK Government's 30-hour childcare offer.
Young People and Education
Bristol's NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) rate for 16–17-year-olds stands at 4.8 per cent, above both the national and South West average of 2.7 per cent. However, the proportion of young people whose status is ‘Not Known' is 2.1 per cent. This is significantly lower than the South West (8.6 per cent) and England (10.3 per cent) averages, reflecting the fact that we're keeping in touch with young people, are aware of their employment status', and are helping them to find the next steps.
To reduce NEET numbers, the Council's post-16 and NEET Reduction service is delivering targeted outreach and personalised support, including the new Boost Your Future re-engagement programme and the development of a Risk of NEET Panel to identify and help Year 11 students at risk. Collaboration with schools, social care teams, and partners is key to reducing NEET numbers. The team visits homes when needed and works with services like HOPE Virtual School, SEND, and Youth Justice to give young people the right advice and support. This exists alongside the pilot of the Youth Guarantee programme in South Bristol for 17–21-year-olds, which offers young people work tasters, employability courses and wraparound support.
School Attendance and Outcomes
Attendance across Bristol schools is 93.1 per cent, just below the national average of 94.1 per cent, with secondary attendance at 91.8 per cent. Improving attendance for priority groups, including children with EHCPs and those eligible for Free School Meals, remains a focus.
Provisional Key Stage 4 (KS4) GCSE results show Bristol's Progress 8 score has risen from 45.2 to 46.3, moving above the national average for the first time.
6 November 2025: Independent investigation into the council's use of social media
On 28 August 2025 the Children and Young People's Policy Committee approved the commission of an independent investigation into the accessing or reviewing of online content by or on behalf of Bristol City Council SEN and disabled children's services during the period September 2021 to August 2022.
The executive director of Children and Education has appointed an external Investigating Officer, Aileen McColgan KC. She has no prior involvement in the matter and will report directly to the Executive Director of Children and Education.
Go to our Independent investigation into the council's use of social media page to:
- find out more about the investigation
- contact the Investigating Officer
- submit evidence
17 October 2025: Children and Young People Committee update from Vik Verma, Director of Education and Skills
In July, we shared the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Education, pdf Health and Care Needs Assessment Improvement Plan(1.84 MB) and the steps we are taking to improve the speed and quality with which decisions are made.
This update provides a highlight of key updates that were taken to the Bristol City Council Children and Young People Committee which took place on 15 October 2025.
Building on this momentum, Bristol is making progress in supporting children and young people to thrive. Through significant investment in specialist school places, enhanced support services, and a strong focus on inclusion and educational achievement, we are seeing some improvements across the city.
While we are encouraged by the improvements so far, we recognise there is more to do and so this is an update on where we are on our journey.
Rising educational outcomes across the city
Provisional data shows that educational outcomes have improved at all levels, especially at GCSE/KS4 and KS5, with positive improvements in phonics and Key Stage 2 results.
The proportion of pupils achieving higher grades in English and Maths GCSEs has increased. Results so far show that the attainment gap for children with SEND is narrowing, with outcomes for children with an Education Health and Care plan (EHCP) in Bristol now above the national average for this group.
School attendance rates have improved, and Bristol continues to prioritise attendance and inclusion, particularly for our most vulnerable children and young people.
Improved timeliness and quality of support for children with SEND
The average time from needs assessment request being made to issuing an EHCP has improved since May 2025, now standing at 47 weeks, as of September 2025.
There has been a 44 per cent increase in Educational Psychology reports completed and a 39 per cent increase in the number of new EHCPs issued compared to the same period last year.
This demonstrates a strong commitment to improving both the speed and quality of support for children with special educational needs.
Expanding specialist provision and inclusion
Significant council investment is being made to create 54 new specialist places for neurodivergent children at Henbury Court Academy and St Annes Infant School and Nursery. These investments, totalling over £3 million, will strengthen inclusion in local schools and increase the range of specialist provision available, ensuring every child can access the type of education that best meets their needs.
The completion of Throgmorton School will also provide an additional 50 places for children with severe learning difficulties, moving Bristol closer to its target of 569 new specialist spaces.
29 September 2025: share your views about school transitions
Your voice matters.
Bristol Parent Carers really want to hear your experiences of your child moving into reception, a new academic year, secondary or a new school.
You can:
- come to an online event on 9 October at 7pm
- tell us what you think on our moving through school form
8 September 2025: SEND Quality Assurance Framework
We've published our pdf SEND Quality Assurance Framework(765 KB) . We also have an pdf Easy Read Quality Assurance Framework(5.87 MB) .
The framework sets out our method for improving how we:
- understand needs
- listen to families
- deliver the right help at the right time
- provide inclusive education
- futureproof
- make sure everyone can feel safe and included
18 August 2025: Bristol Autism Team Pathways to Short Breaks project evaluation report
Pathways to Short Breaks ran until March 2025, supporting children and young people aged from 8 to 18 with social, communication and interaction needs. These young people were experiencing anxiety and were socially isolated. The project offered them a range of support centred around their homes and local communities, including:
- targeted and innovative community-based groups
- high quality, intensive and person-centred support
This project aimed to increase the children and young people's social connection and eventual educational opportunities.
The Bristol Autism Team are incredibly proud of their work and the outcomes and evidence base produced, and keen to share what was learned. This programme was funded by the Department for Education Short breaks innovation fund which piloted new approaches to build a body of evidence to inform practice nationally.
Read the pdf Pathway to Short Breaks evaluation report(2.22 MB) .
Watch a video about the Pathway to Short Breaks project.
28 July 2025: Improvement plan for Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments
We've published an update on our pdf improvement plan for Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments(1.84 MB) (EHCNAs) today (28 July).
The report highlights the:
- recent rise in EHCNA requests
- challenges families have faced navigating the process
- immediate steps being taken by partners in Bristol City Council, Health and Social Care to reduce delays and improve the quality of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)
The improvement plan outlines a renewed commitment, through its SEND and Inclusion Strategy 2024 to 2028 and partnerships with families and service, to build a more transparent, inclusive, and supportive process for children and young people in Bristol.
2 July 2025: Bristol responds to rising demand for SEND support
We recognise the significant challenges facing children, young people, and families in accessing the support they need with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Read more about how we're responding to meet the needs of the SEND community with investment and a new strategy.
10 April 2025: Bristol City Council responds to outcome of Safety Valve agreement judicial review
Bristol City Council (BCC) welcomes the court's judgment in relation to the Department for Education's (DfE) Safety Valve agreement. BCC has been informed today (Thursday 10 April) that the court has dismissed the claim against us.
Our priority remains to deliver the best possible support and outcomes for children, young people, and families. We remain committed to working closely with parents and carers, our partners in health and social care, and community organisations, to ensure SEND services meet the needs of children and young people, providing them with the right support, opportunities, and resources to thrive.
You can read the full judgement at: AB, R (On the Application Of) v Bristol City Council, 2025.
March 2025: Top-up period extended for children with SEND without an education, health and care (EHC) plan
We're extending top-up funding for some children while we finish their Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment.
Some children and young people will not need this extension. This may be because:
- their needs have changed since the funding was given
- they have moved to a school or college outside Bristol
- they have started college, work, or training
- an EHC needs assessment is nearly finished
There may be other reasons why this funding is no longer needed.
Any decision to extend top-up funding will be made together with parents, carers, and schools.
We're currently reviewing arrangements for children who receive top-up funding and are not undergoing an EHC needs assessment. We appreciate your patience whilst we work through this process.
March 2025: Bristol Parent Carers for Together for SEND on 3 March
This event is packed with 30 talks and a variety of workshops and peer support sessions for families, educators, and practitioners working with children with SEND.
What's on offer:
- Purple Ella: on neurodivergent experiences
- Carers Academy: Financial planning for SEND families
- A workshop with Gary Aubin: on how to work effectively with schools
- Mark Allen from the Neuershambles podcast): rewriting the rulebook for neurodivergent kids
- A workshop with Gary Aubin: on how to work effectively with schools
- Peer support sessions: with Bristol Autism Support, SEND and You, and Bristol Parent Carers
- Drop-in Occupational Therpay and speech and language advice from local clinicians
- Information on accessing support in schools: From early support to EHCPs with SEND Advocacy and Geldards Solicitors
- Sensory strategies for chidlren with sensory needs from Therapy Space
You will also find:
- 50 exhibitors, including local services such as Bristol Autism Team and the SEND Team
- local community and voluntary sectors - such as SEND and you, Bristol Autism Support, SENSE, Extraordinary links, BIBC, Autism Independence and lots more
- free sensory bags for those who need them
- a buddy to attend with you if you're nervous
- support with English if needed
- bus fare refunds
- no diagnosis needed, all families are welcome, no matter where you are on your journey
Visit Together for SEND 2025 on the Bristol Parents Carers website to view full details and book your space.
February 2025: Travel support for students 16 and over
From the start of the academic year in September 2025, we'll remove council arranged vehicles for pupils aged 16 to 18.
This is different from our current policy but is in line with Department for Education guidance.
Other support options will be available as outlined in the pdf Post-16 2025 to 2026 Travel Support Policy(299 KB) , such as a personal travel budget and bus passes.
For students who have already begun their post-16 courses and travel to school or college using a council arranged vehicle, we'll continue with this support until they complete their course.
