The report published on 1 April found widespread and systemic failings in SEND provision.

Cllr Roy Bailey, cabinet member for children and young people, said: ‘While we have made some positive and important strides in the past couple of years in improving our SEND services for children and young people, we need to continue our sustained efforts to ensure all children and young people with SEND and their families feel confident their voice is being heard and acknowledged. This is a priority.'

The report identified a number of areas for priority action, including: establishing a clear process to better identify the needs of children and young people; establishing a governance structure to provide effective oversight and monitoring of the SEND system; identifying and bridging gaps in commissioning; and taking immediate action to improve the quality of education, health and care (EHC) plans and annual reviews.

The partnership said it had taken to improve services, including: issuing education, health and care plans (EHCPs) on time; opening a social emotional and mental health (SEMH) school for 10 children in September 2025; plans for a new autism school for 100 children; development of two secondary specialist resource provisions (SRP); a stabilised SEND team and workforce; improvements to wait times for mental health services; and redesigning and recommissioning East Berkshire Children's Therapy Service to address wait times for certain therapy services from 1 July 2025.