Policies & governance
Governance, transparency& accountability.
The SEND Accountability Project Ltd operates under a comprehensive governance, safeguarding, data protection, research and quality assurance framework designed to support transparency, accountability, professional learning and evidence-informed improvement across Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
These frameworks support all platform activities including:
- Family support resources
- SEND accountability dashboards
- School improvement resources
- Local authority support tools
- Professional learning and CPD
- Research and evidence programmes
- Toolkits and templates
- Public engagement activities
- Governance and transparency reporting
Governance Framework
Our governance framework establishes how The SEND Accountability Project Ltd is managed, monitored and held accountable.
Available documents include:
- Director's Declaration
- Governance & Accountability Framework
- Governance Assurance Statement
- Annual Governance & Assurance Report
- Strategic Delivery PlanSAP-STRAT-2027
- Impact & Evaluation FrameworkSAP-IMPACT-001
- Sustainability & Growth PlanSAP-SUSTAIN-001Published · v1.0
- Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery PlanSAP-BCP-001Published · v1.0
- Policy Review Register
- Approval & Review Log
- Document Control & Governance Records Policy
Risk, Finance & Organisational Assurance
These documents support organisational resilience, accountability and responsible stewardship.
Privacy, Data Protection & Information Governance
The SEND Accountability Project Ltd operates under Privacy by Design and No Child Names by Design principles.
Available documents include:
- Privacy Policy
- Data Protection Policy
- Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA)
- DPIA Risk Register
- Data Retention & Records Management Schedule
- Data Deletion Procedures
- Data Deletion Log
- Data Anonymisation & Case Reference Policy
- Information Security & Access Control Policy
- Cookie Policy
The organisation seeks to avoid the routine collection or storage of personally identifiable child information wherever reasonably practicable.
Safeguarding, Equality & Accessibility
We are committed to safeguarding, accessibility, inclusion and fair access.
Transparency & Integrity
We believe accountability begins with transparent governance and ethical conduct.
Research, Evidence & Accountability
All accountability and evidence activities operate within an ethical, evidence-informed framework.
Available documents include:
- Research Ethics & Public Interest PolicySAP-ETHICS-001
- Evidence Standards & Information Quality Policy
- Dashboard Methodology
- Dashboard Indicator Framework
- Stakeholder Engagement Register
The organisation maintains full editorial independence regarding findings, ratings, indicators, reports and recommendations.
Advisory Governance
The organisation is developing an Advisory Panel to provide independent expertise, challenge and insight.
Available documents include:
- Advisory Panel Terms of Reference
- Advisory Panel Application Process
- Advisory Panel Conflict Declaration Process
An Advisory Panel Register will be published following formal appointments.
CPD & Professional Learning Governance
Our professional learning framework supports quality assurance, reflection, evaluation and continuous improvement.
Available documents include:
- CPD Documentation Suite
- Assessment & Quality Policy
- Centre Management Policy
- Course Review Process
- Evaluation Policy
- Evaluation Form
- Reflective Practice Record
- Post-Course Impact Review
- Appeals Policy
- Complaints Policy
Professional learning is supported by a structured evaluation, reflection and impact review process aligned with recognised professional development principles.
Accountability Dashboards
The platform hosts accountability and improvement dashboards designed to support transparency and evidence-informed discussion.
Dashboard governance includes:
- Dashboard Methodology
- Indicator Framework
- Evidence Standards
- Confidence Ratings
- Publication Controls
- Research Ethics Framework
The platform does not permit external organisations, sponsors, local authorities, schools, trusts or partners to influence findings, ratings, dashboard outputs or recommendations.
Independence Statement
The SEND Accountability Project Ltd maintains full organisational independence.
No school, academy trust, local authority, sponsor, partner, contributor or stakeholder may direct, approve, suppress or alter dashboard findings, research outputs, publications, ratings or recommendations.
All findings remain under the sole editorial control of The SEND Accountability Project Ltd and are governed by the Research Ethics & Public Interest Policy, Evidence Standards Framework and Conflict of Interest arrangements.
Governance Principles
The SEND Accountability Project Ltd operates in accordance with the following principles:
- Transparency
- Accountability
- Evidence-Informed Practice
- Privacy by Design
- No Child Names by Design
- Safeguarding
- Inclusion
- Independence
- Professional Integrity
- Continuous Improvement
Our commitment
The SEND Accountability Project Ltd is committed to strengthening accountability, transparency and outcomes for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) across England through evidence, professional learning, ethical research and responsible innovation. All documents are signed off and version controlled — further documents are published here as they are approved.
To request any document listed on this page, email our data protection lead: datalead@thesendaccountabilityproject.org.uk