Purpose of the Norfolk Inclusive Practice Framework

The Norfolk Inclusive Practice Framework is a tool that sets out guidance about practice that the Norfolk Local Area SEND Partnership expects to be available across Early Years settings, mainstream schools, academies, free schools, and post-16 providers to support all children and young people (CYP) including those with barriers to learning. These may include:

In Norfolk, there is a shared commitment to ensuring that all CYP, irrespective of their barriers to learning, are supported to Flourish. This is achieved through early identification of need, effective support, and high-quality provision that enables individuals to achieve their full potential.

We aim for CYP and their families, to experience positive and inclusive education, characterised by access to the right support, in the right place, and at the right time. Regardless of where they live within the county, all CYP should have their needs appropriately met.

For the majority, this will be best achieved through attendance at their local mainstream setting, alongside their peers within their community. To realise this ambition, all education providers are expected to deliver a robust and inclusive universal offer that meets the needs of all learners, including those with SEND.

Throughout this tool, the term children and young people (CYP) is used to encompass individuals from the Early Years through to Post-16 learning environments. The term 'setting' is used to describe the full range of learning environments in Norfolk, from childminders and nurseries through to schools and Post-16 providers.

In line with statutory responsibilities, this guidance outlines the universal provision that is expected to be in place across the Norfolk Local Area SEND Partnership for all children and young people with SEND. In order to support settings in meeting their statutory duty of putting provision in place to meet the needs of CYP with SEND, this guidance also outlines evidence-informed approaches at a more targeted level.

This guidance has been co-produced through collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders, including education professionals, health and SEND services, family representatives, and children and young people themselves. It is intended to provide clear, accessible, and practical support to enable settings to understand and meet these expectations effectively.

The guidance has been arranged in two sections:

Culture and Ethos - This section outlines the expectations for all settings to have in place to ensure they are meeting the needs of all CYP in their learning environment.
Broad Areas of Need - This section outlines universal and targeted provision expectations/ suggestions under each of the Broad Areas of Need as outlined in the SEND Code of Practice (2015).

The Norfolk Inclusive Practice Framework will be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure the guidance remains robust, relevant and informed by evidence. This includes opportunities to review the tool to ensure it aligns with the SEND reforms.

Flourish

The Norfolk Inclusive Practice Framework has been written, aligned to Norfolk Children's Services FLOURISH principles.

These principles provide a shared, outcomes-focused framework describing what matters most for children and young people's wellbeing. They are based on eight areas of life identified through engagement with children and young people.

The framework reflects a whole‑system ambition: that all children and young people in Norfolk are supported to thrive socially, emotionally, and academically.

This tool practically seeks to:

Provide a common language across education, health, and care services
Focus on strength-based, aspirational outcomes, rather than deficits
Emphasise early support, inclusion, and partnership working
Support practitioners to consider the whole CYP, not just educational needs