SEND and AP Change Programme

Introduction

This page shares information about the DfE SEND and AP Programme. It also explains how we are involved in East Sussex.

This page will highlight regular updates throughout the programme. We will let you know how you can get involved at various stages.

Please note:

• DfE stands for Department for Education
• SEND stands for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
• AP stands for Alternative Provision

You can also read the DfE / REACh guide to the change programme. The guide is for parents, carers and families:

• View the SEND and AP Change Programme PDF

SEND and AP Change Programme Overview

The government published the SEND and AP Improvement Plan in March 2023. This was following the outcome of the SEND Review in 2022. The aim of the plan was to create a more inclusive society for children and young people with SEND, and those who use AP.

You can visit the Government website to find out more:

• SEND review: right support, right place, right time | GOV.UK
• SEND and alternative provision improvement plan | GOV.UK

How East Sussex is Involved

The DfE has created nine regional Change Programme Partners (CPPs). The CPPs will deliver the Change Programme over the next 18 to 24 months. Please note, in 2025, this was extended until March 2026.

We are part of the South East partnership. This means we are working closely with:

• Portsmouth,
• West Sussex, and
• Brighton and Hove.

We have been asked to test some of the proposed reforms to the SEND system through the Change Programme.

Recent Change Programme Updates

We have been developing and testing a new LISO to help schools support children and young people with additional needs earlier and more effectively. Schools and other partners have helped shape this pilot. 

The pilot is taking place in the Wealden area and includes: 

• 2 secondary schools
• 3 primary schools linked to each one  (8 schools in total)

A small team is working closely with the pilot schools and services to look at: 

• what is already working well
• what could be improved
• what extra support schools, children, and families may need

The learning from the pilot will help us develop a stronger, more consistent offer of inclusion support across East Sussex.

ELSEC (Early Language Support for Every Child)

ELSEC is a programme that helps Early Years settings identify and support children with speech, language, and communication needs as early as possible.  To do this, East Sussex uses a tool called Little Link. Little Link is an Early Years speech and language programme designed by specialist Speech and Language Therapists. It helps Early Years settings support children’s communication and language through fun, story‑based activities.  It includes: 

• a 10‑minute screening tool that shows quickly which children may need extra support
• six storybooks with planned sessions and activities. These aim to help children learn new words and practise listening and communication skills
• a box of ready‑to‑use resources, including session guides, posters, and teaching strategies
• staff training and support so settings feel confident helping children develop language skills

Little Link activities happen across the whole setting. This allows every child to join in, including:

• children with additional needs, and
• those learning English as an additional language.

Activities also support early sound skills, helping children become ready for phonics and early reading.

How Little Link is being delivered in East Sussex 

All Early Years settings in East Sussex have been given a 1-year Little Link subscription, including all resources. 

Settings are being supported to use Little Link through: 

• in‑setting support
• information-sharing at events such as the Childminders’ Conference
• regular updates by email and through social media

Families are being signposted to the Family Portal by Family Hubs and others working with them:

To find out more, visit the SpeechLink Parents website.

 Screening is well underway. Settings are reporting that it has been useful in highlighting children with previously unidentified language needs. At the beginning of April 2026, 1,581 children across East Sussex had been screened using the universal Little Link tool. 

The ELSEC project is a joint venture across the Early Years sector, including:

• SEND Early Years Service (SEND EYS),
• the Children’s Integrated Therapy and Equipment Service, and
• Family Hubs.

It also features in our Best Start in Life Strategy.

Universally Available Provision (UAP)

We are making the final tweaks to our new UAP resource, which will be launched in May 2026. This resource looks to clarify the expectations of all schools, while being an interactive and supportive tool, providing links to training and resources. It has been linked to the new Ofsted framework and is separated into the following headings:

1. Leadership, Culture and Ethos
2. Inclusive Teaching, Learning and Assessment
3. Belonging, Relationships and Well being
4. Removing Barriers and Meeting Needs through Environment
5. Physical / Sensory including Medical Needs
6. Involving pupils, parents/carers and families and the wider community

It is hoped this tool will support consistency in inclusive provision across schools. We are also looking to develop an Early Years version of the tool to support Early Years settings. 

Alternative Provision Specialist Taskforce (APST)

The APST comprises a wide range of professionals. This includes Educational Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapists, Youth Workers and Social Workers. The Taskforce has been working within East Sussex Academy to provide support in a number of ways: 

• direct work with children and young people accessing alternative provision, including assessment of needs and planning of support
• supporting onward pathways e.g. reintegration into local mainstream schools
• support and training for the East Sussex Academy workforce 

We are now looking at how we can take the learning from this to create a longer-term sustainable model.

PINS (Partnership for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools). 

The second year of PINS has now concluded, having been delivered to 68 primary schools across Sussex over the two years. In that time, schools have particularly valued:  

• opportunities to change whole school culture and become more neuroinclusive
• access to high quality training and support from a range of professionals and delivered in a range of ways
• strengthened partnerships with parent / carers
• protected time for reflection and strategy 

We are now looking at how we take learning from PINS forward within our existing service delivery. In particular, around:

• strengthening the use of pupil and parent voice within school practice, and
• supporting workforce development across different staff groups.

Glossary of East Sussex SEND Terms

We explain some of the terms used on this website on our page, Glossary of East Sussex SEND Terms.