Surrey County Council has published updated guidance on ‘Ordinarily Available Provision’ (OAP), finalised in late 2025 and being rolled out to schools in January 2026, to ensure children in Camberley, Surrey, can receive immediate classroom support for additional needs. The guidance makes clear that children do not need a formal medical diagnosis or an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) to access day-to-day support such as sensory breaks, timetable adjustments or specialist literacy tools.
Local schools identified as key sites for the roll-out — including Tomlinscote School, Collingwood College and South Camberley Primary — are expected to implement the new guidance. The changes follow a period of delays in EHCP assessments that left many families waiting months or years for formal plans and legal appeals.
The council has committed an additional £4.9 million this year to expand and restructure SEND services. The funding is being used to increase staff capacity and support projects such as quieter breakout or sensory spaces and staff training (including training to support pupils with anxiety or demand-avoidant behaviours), with the stated aim of ensuring more pupils can be helped at their local school rather than having to travel long distances.
These improvements come as Surrey prepares for local government reorganisation: the county will be replaced by two unitary councils, West Surrey and East Surrey, from April 2027. The council says officers and councillors are working to ensure support for children with additional needs remains stable and accessible during the transition.
