More than 120 education professionals and partners gathered yesterday at The Heath Business Park for Halton’s annual Delivering Better Value (DBV) SEND Conference,
At the event, Halton proudly launched the Ordinarily Available (OA) Inclusion by Design Toolkit—a co-produced resource designed to embed inclusive practice as standard in all mainstream classrooms.
The toolkit, developed collaboratively with educators, families, and local services, outlines practical strategies and expectations for what should be ordinarily available for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), without requiring additional funding or formal diagnosis.
“This is more than a document—it’s a commitment to equity, early intervention, and inclusive design,” said Mike Stapleton-Chambers, Halton Council’s Head of Service for DBV SEND. “We’re empowering schools and settings to meet needs proactively, not reactively.”
The conference featured an inspiring keynote speech from Dave McPartlin, headteacher of Flakefleet Primary School famously known as Britain’s Happiest School, and a Britain’s Got Talent Golden Buzzer finalist. An advocate for bold, creative leadership in education, Dave’s message “Dare to dream”resonated deeply with attendees.
Participants took part in a series of targeted workshops, including:
• Sensory circuits in early years, primary, and secondary settings
• Medicalisation of childhood – reframing developmental needs
• Building resilience in children and young people
• Inclusive Early Years practice, delivered by national charity Dingley’s Promise.
The event marked a significant milestone in Halton’s DBV programme, reinforcing the borough’s commitment to inclusive education and system-wide transformation.
The Inclusion by Design Toolkit is now available online: https://localoffer.haltonfamilyhubs.co.uk/send-graduated-approach
