The Work Between Us: Making Local Partnerships Work for Inclusion ffective inclusion depends on the partnerships we build. Claire Thomson explores innovative collaboration from the local authority perspective, while Laura Page looks at how school and trust leaders pave the way for meaningful partnership across formal, informal, specialist, and LA networks. Together, we'll share principles, honest learning and creative commissioning approaches that turn the ambitions of the White Paper and SEND reforms into practical action—even amid tight resources.

Related policy / guidance / strategy / initiatives:

• Schools White Paper Every Child Achieving and Thriving (Feb 2026) and SEND reform consultation
• New National Inclusion Standards and statutory inclusion strategy duty
• The graduated approach (assess, plan, do, review)
• £1.6bn Inclusive Mainstream Fund
• Ofsted's reformed framework (Nov 2025) with inclusion as a standalone evaluation area
• Proposals for all schools to join trusts, with new trust standards on inclusion and community collaboration, and LAs newly able to form trusts
• Schools WP – putting children and young people first