Redbridge strengthens support for children with SEND through landmark inclusion conference
Published: 28 September 2026
Redbridge Council has brought together headteachers, governors, schools, colleges, early years settings, families and children themselves to strengthen inclusion and belonging for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The borough-wide Inclusion and Belonging Conference focused on a shared ambition: ensuring every child in Redbridge feels included, feels they belong and receives the support they need to thrive in education.
Led by Redbridge Council, the conference is part of a wider programme of work to improve experiences and outcomes for children and young people with SEND. It reflects the borough's commitment as the first in England to be recognised by UNICEF UK as a Child Friendly Borough, where children's voices help shape the decisions that affect their lives.
A key feature of Redbridge's approach is that its Inclusion and Belonging Strategy has been co-designed with headteachers and chairs of governors, placing education leaders at the heart of shaping how support is delivered across the borough.
Children and young people's voices ran throughout the day. Delegates heard directly from young people about their experiences of education and inclusion, helping to build understanding of both the challenges faced by families and the difference that effective support can make.
A video featuring children and young people who helped design Redbridge's new Local Offer was also shown. The Local Offer brings together information about support and services available to children and young people with SEND and their families, demonstrating how co-production with young people is shaping services in Redbridge.
Children attending the conference also put questions directly to senior leaders about how schools and settings can continue to improve inclusion and belonging.
Ofsted contributed to the event, outlining why inclusion and belonging are important parts of the inspection framework. Delegates also heard from school leaders who shared successful approaches to supporting children and young people with SEND.
Every school attending was invited to share examples of effective practice, helping to create a borough-wide Inclusion Toolkit that will enable schools and settings to learn from one another and spread successful approaches more widely.
The conference also saw the launch of new Ordinarily Available Guidance (OAG), providing practical support to help and education settings, including Colleges, to consistently meet the needs of children and young people with SEND.
The day concluded with schools, colleges, nurseries and other settings making pledges setting out the actions they will take to strengthen inclusion and belonging in their own communities.
Councillor Lloyd Duddridge, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said, "This conference brought together everyone with a role to play in improving the lives of children and young people with SEND, and secured a shared commitment to action across Redbridge.
"The most powerful voices in the room were those of our children and young people. Their experiences challenged, inspired and shaped the conversations throughout the day.
"The launch of new guidance, the creation of an Inclusion Toolkit and the pledges made by schools and settings mean this conference is not just about talking about inclusion, it's about delivering it. Together, we are building a borough where every child feels they belong and can thrive."
Andy Tarrant, Headteacher at South Park Primary School, said, “It was an excellent day and truly collaborative. I’m very excited to see how we all shape a positive future for our Redbridge children and young people. Thank you to you and your team, Andrea.”
David Backhouse, Chair of Governors at Mayfield School said, “What a fantastic, inspirational Education Conference you arranged and invited Chairs and Headteachers to yesterday. It ticked all the boxes of what makes a good conference, excellently supported by Mayfield School. The excitement prior to the meeting was well-founded and clearly evident throughout the day.”
