Islington Council: Data and Modelling for Local SEND Reform Plan
What Islington Council needed
As part of the Department for Education’s (DfE) SEND reform programme, Islington Council needed a robust evidence base to underpin its Local SEND Reform Plan. This included developing reliable forecasts of future SEND need, provision and expenditure, while meeting evolving national requirements and tight submission deadlines.
The council needed support to complete the required data return and establish a sustainable forecasting approach that could be updated on a quarterly basis as the reforms progressed.
What we did
Building on Mime’s established EHCP cohort modelling, we enhanced and extended the model to meet the requirements of the Local SEND Reform Plan. Using the latest SEN2 data, we produced updated forecasts of future SEND need and modelled a range of scenarios to reflect different assumptions about future need and service delivery.
Working closely with the council throughout the project, we refined the modelling to reflect Islington’s local reform programme, including the rollout of its Experts at Hand offer and investment in mainstream inclusion bases. We also combined cohort forecasts with financial and SEN support data to provide the comprehensive picture that the DfE required.
Our collaborative, iterative approach ensured the modelling remained aligned with evolving DfE guidance while accurately reflecting local plans.
The impact of our work
Islington gained a robust, transparent evidence base to support its Local SEND Reform Plan and meet national submission requirements with confidence.
The forecasting model gave the council greater insight into future need, the financial implications of its reform programme and the impact of different delivery assumptions. Alongside a successful data submission, the council now has a flexible model that can be updated as rollout progresses, providing an ongoing foundation for strategic planning, financial decision-making and monitoring the progress of SEND reforms.
“Mime were an exceptional partner throughout our SEND Reform Plan submission process. Working in a fast-moving national environment meant that requirements and expectations shifted frequently, often at very short notice. At every stage, the Mime team responded with professionalism, flexibility and good humour.”
“They took the time to understand our local context, adapted quickly to changing requirements and consistently found solutions where others might have seen obstacles. Their expertise was invaluable, but what stood out most was their calm, collaborative approach during a particularly demanding period. I would not hesitate to recommend them.”
Candy Holder – Assistant Director, Inclusion
