SEND Reform consultation
Having your say
The SEND Reforms consultation was finally published on 23rd February. It is a 12 week consultation closing on 18th May.
Whilst many of the headlines are expressing concerns, that we share, about the lack of funding for the proposals and changes to EHCPs, there are also a number of areas which we had called for that are included. These are:
- Greater local authority control over SEND school places
- Building the capacity of specialists through the Experts at Hand programme
- Introducing the cap on independent special school fees
- SENCOs to have administrative support
- A return to Targeted and Targeted plus support
Please respond to the consultation yourself sharing your experiences and concerns. There are 39 questions but you do not need to answer them all. You may also want to speak with your school group about writing a joint response.
Taking action:
- Discuss the proposals in your school group
- Respond to the consultation yourself (look at relevant questions to your role)
- Talk with local parent/carer groups about their concerns (and jointly speak to your MP)
- Email your MP through the School Cuts campaign
Inclusion challenges
The NEU wants the Government to address these 5 immediate challenges on inclusion:
- Needs led funding – for SEND support, Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans and local SEND and mental health services.
- A strategy to reduce Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) workload.
- Support staff numbers must be maintained and increased.
- Time for staff planning, family liaison and CPD.
- DFE must support knowledge exchange and professional skills around inclusion across all curriculum subjects.
The following goals can build positive experiences for learners with SEND:
- Every child/young person attends a school/college with an inclusive ethos.
- Every student is assessed early and regularly for learning and social and emotional needs and appropriate support can be provided.
- Every child/young person has a strong relationship with a trusted adult in school/college.
- Parents/carers are engaged partners.
