Pauline Coakley Webb has welcomed government approval of Barnet’s plan to reform special educational needs and disabilities services and alternative provision.
The council said implementation was already under way after ministers accepted the programme. The plan is intended to improve early support, strengthen mainstream provision and reduce reliance on costly placements outside the borough.
Barnet has more than 8,300 pupils identified with special educational needs. Council figures show that 5,044 children and young people had an education, health and care plan in April 2026.
The reform programme will be developed with schools, families, health partners and other local services. The council described it as an evolving plan rather than a completed settlement.
Coakley Webb is the Labour councillor for Friern Barnet and cabinet member for a Family Friendly Barnet. She said the approval would allow the borough to continue work on a more inclusive and financially sustainable system.
Labour operates a minority administration in Barnet, where Labour and the Conservatives each hold 31 seats and the Green Party holds one. The announcement concerns approval of the council’s reform approach; it does not identify a new standalone funding award.
