SEND Clusters update

The first meeting of the SEND Cluster pilot for the Central locality took place just before October half term. This pilot is part of the city’s wider SEND and Inclusion improvement programme and aims to test a new way of working that brings schools and professionals together to provide quicker, more joined-up support for children with additional needs.

What is the cluster model?

The cluster model is designed to reduce delays for children to access support by encouraging schools in a local area to work collectively. It creates a space for shared decision-making, pooling expertise, and finding practical solutions earlier. Each cluster includes schools, health professionals, and local authority teams working as one group.

Central was chosen as the first pilot area because of its diverse mix of schools and strong engagement in SEND improvement work.

Our shared values

At the first meeting, over 20 schools attended and agreed that the cluster should be built on Hope, Trust, and Honesty. These values will guide how we work together—creating a safe space for professional challenge and collaboration.

What happened at the first meeting?

The group explored practical ideas to improve support, such as:

• Creating sensory spaces in schools to help children regulate emotions.
• Developing training and resources for staff to better support communication needs.

This is a small-scale pilot, but it’s an important step toward more responsive SEND support. We’ll review learning from this pilot before considering wider rollout.

Find out more about the cluster model and how to make referrals at https://sendcohub.stoke.gov.uk/home/cluster-funding, or by contacting centralcluster@stoke.gov.uk