must make joint commissioning arrangements for education, health and care provision, informed by a clear assessment of local needs. This multi-agency collaboration ensures that there is a joined-up approach that prioritises identification, assessment, and support. Agencies should be aware that the SEND Code of Practice gives statutory guidance on the duties, policies and procedures relating to Part 3 of the Children and Families Act 2014. The SEND Code of Practice sets out how agencies should support children under section 17 (Children and Families Act 1989) or section 2 (Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970). The SEND Code of Practice says that local authorities, in carrying out their functions, must have regards to: • the views, wishes and feelings of the child or young people and the child’s parents • the importance of the child or young person, and the child’s parents, participating as fully as possible in decisions and being provided with the information and support necessary to enable participation in those decisions • the need to support the child or young people, and the child’s parents in order to facilitate the development of the child or young people and to help them achieve the best possible educational and other outcomes, preparing them effectively for adulthood These principles reflect the expectations for practice described throughout the National Framework, and which see the voices of children, young people and families as central to support to improve outcomes. Crucially, local authorities will only achieve the outcomes in the National Framework for children with special educational needs and disabilities with the knowledge, expertise and support of other organisations. Agencies should read and respond to the National Framework, alongside the 