There was a strong sense of openness and shared purpose at our SEND roundtable in London last week. Local authority SEND leaders came together to discuss what SEND reform means in practice.

With councils working towards reform plans and facing tight timelines, the session created space for honest conversation. It brought together both customers and prospective partners to share experiences, raise concerns and explore what good implementation could look like.

A space for honest discussion

The roundtable quickly moved beyond headlines. Attendees spoke openly about the pressures they are currently under and the uncertainty that still surrounds key parts of the reforms.

Several themes came up throughout the discussion. These included the increasing expectations on schools, the pressure on SENCOs and wider staff, and the challenge of introducing Individual Support Plans at scale.

There was also a shared view that reform needs to go further than inclusion alone. Many felt that the whole system needs to evolve, and that this message has not fully come through in national policy so far.

Importantly, the conversation felt constructive. Councils were not waiting for answers. They were sharing what they are seeing on the ground and learning from each other.

Guest speaker from Kensington and Chelsea

A key moment in the session was hearing from guest speaker Steph Baiardo, Head of SEND Review and Monitoring at Kensington and Chelsea, who gave a detailed and honest account of her team’s approach.

She spoke about the work they have done to improve consistency in funding decisions, strengthen quality assurance, and build trust with schools. She also shared how they have worked closely with Imosphere to develop tools that support their processes.

Her message was clear. Technology on its own is not the answer. It needs to sit alongside strong practice, clear ownership, and ongoing collaboration.

Steph also highlighted the importance of being honest about what is not working, and using that to improve both systems and processes. This approach has helped her team move towards a more consistent and needs-led model.

Key themes from the day

A number of important themes came through across the roundtable:

Inclusion is part of a bigger picture
Many attendees felt the reforms focus on inclusion, but the real challenge is wider system change. This includes funding, workforce, and how services work together.

Schools will need more support
There was concern about the level of responsibility shifting to schools. This includes managing ISPs, making decisions about provision, and handling complaints. Many felt schools will need more training and ongoing support.

Funding changes bring both opportunity and risk
Direct funding to schools could support earlier intervention. However, there were concerns about how funding will be used, and whether it will remain focused on SEND without clear safeguards.

A shift towards needs-led approaches
Councils discussed the move away from hours or provision-based models towards needs-led thinking. This is seen as important, but not straightforward to implement.

The role of tools and technology
There was growing interest in how tools can support consistency, reduce workload, and improve quality. The key point was that tools should support professional judgement, not replace it.

Why this matters

What stood out from the day was the value of bringing councils together.

This was a chance to test ideas, hear practical examples, and talk openly about challenges. For many, it helped put current pressures into context and highlighted where there are shared experiences across the sector.

For Imosphere, it reinforced our role as SEND solutions experts. Our focus is not just on technology, but on working closely with local authorities to support real change. That means understanding the detail, listening to feedback, and helping shape solutions that work in practice.

Looking ahead

SEND reform is still evolving, and there are many questions still to answer. With councils required to submit their responses to the white paper in May, the coming weeks will be a critical time for shaping local approaches.

What is clear is that councils want to be part of shaping what comes next, and to do so with confidence.

If you would like to explore how SEND solutions can support your response or help you prepare for the changes ahead, our team at Imosphere would be happy to talk.