- What inspectors found
- Family Hubs: support closer to home
- Best online SEND support in England
- A plan that runs to age 25
- How Jimac Cars supports SEND families in H&F
Hammersmith & Fulham is one of a small number of London boroughs to receive the highest possible rating for how it supports children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. A Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection carried out in May 2026 found that SEND children in the borough are having real, measurable positive experiences – not just on paper, but in practise.
What inspectors found
CQC inspectors looked at how the council, local health services and schools work together to support SEND families. The answer, according to the inspection, was: well. Inspectors specifically praised the positive experiences and outcomes for children and young people with SEND across H&F.
This wasn’t an isolated moment. Ofsted had already rated H&F Children’s Services as Outstanding in May 2024, and H&F’s school suspension and exclusion figures for pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) sit significantly below national averages. These numbers point to schools genuinely committed to keeping SEND children in the classroom and in the community.
Family Hubs: support closer to home
One of the most concrete changes in recent months is the opening of three new Family Hubs across H&F specifically for children with SEND. Rather than asking families to contact multiple services, these hubs bring support under one roof – covering advice, resources and referrals in a single visit.
The flagship location at the Stephen Wiltshire Centre on Queensmill Road in Fulham is a modern, purpose-built space where families can access help without the usual runaround. The council also posts regular activities and events through the Family Hub website, keeping local families connected to what’s on offer throughout the year.
Best online SEND support in England
In 2025, H&F was named the best council in England for online SEND support by the National Association of Family Information Services. The award recognised the council’s Local Offer for SEND website, which covers the full range of support available – from early speech and language help, through to youth clubs and work experience for young people approaching adulthood.
What sets it apart is how it was built. The website was co-produced with residents, parents, local schools, health providers and the voluntary sector. Families aren’t just reading generic council pages; they’re using something shaped by people who know what SEND families actually need to find.
A plan that runs to age 25
H&F’s SEND Strategy 2023-2028 covers young people up to the age of 25 – which matters, because support that stops at 16 or 18 often leaves young people and their families in a difficult gap. The strategy sets out how the borough intends to support SEND children across their whole education and into adult life.
The Young Adult Partnership model is one part of this. Dedicated link workers support young people moving through post-16 transitions – whether into further education, employment or supported independence. In 2023, the programme helped 28 learning-disabled residents into paid work
Find more details on this here.
How Jimac Cars supports SEND families in H&F
For many SEND families, getting to a Family Hub, therapy appointment, specialist school or assessment centre on time – and without added stress – is a challenge in itself. Reliable transport makes a real difference to how manageable daily life feels.
Let Jimac Cars provide safe and reliable transport for families and young people with SEND needs, making every journey easier and stress-free.
