The partnership, including NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Lancashire County Council, launched a priority action plan following the notice in June 2025.

Sarah O'Brien, chief nurse for NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, said: ‘The ICB, as part of the Lancashire SEND Partnership, acknowledges the findings of the Ofsted and CQC report and the receipt of this improvement notice.

‘We recognise that the outcomes and experiences that children and young people with SEND in our region have faced are not good enough, but we remain committed to seeing improved outcomes for all.

‘Many changes have already been implemented since the report was issued earlier this year, with many more areas for improvement also identified, and we are determined to continue to develop and deliver on our partnership's shared strategic vision.'

Measures taken by the partnership include: a £5m investment in LCC SEND staffing; £1.8m for improving the Neurodivergent Pathway across Lancashire and South Cumbria; a new SEND staff academy; plans for an additional 1,200 educational psychologist assessments; an Education and Health Care Plan portal (ECHP); 200 new specialist school places; the identification of a site for a new special school; more than doubling EHCP audits; and expert oversight and feedback through the SEND Improvement Board, supported by advisors from the DfE and NHS England.