Ministers are acting on a commitment to ensure parents play a key role in shaping future SEND policy by launching what they describe as “the biggest national conversation on SEND in a generation”.
The exercise will involve face-to-face and on-line regional events, run in partnership with the Council for Disabled Children.
The themes of the discussions are expected to include:
- Early intervention, including earlier in children’s lives when this can have most impact
- Local provision, so young people can learn at a school close to their home, alongside their peers, as well as the vital role of special provision for complex needs
- Fairness, so every school has the resources and capability to meet changing needs – stopping parents fighting for support and ensuring clear legal safeguards for children and parents
- Effective practice, grounded in evidence to ensure excellent long-term outcomes
- Shared working that means education, health and care services working in partnership with local government, families, teachers, experts and representative bodies
We’re putting lived experience at the heart of our reforms and creating a direct line to parents across the nation
Georgia Gould, the minister for school standards, said: “For too long, families have felt unheard and left to battle a system that simply doesn’t deliver for their children.
“We’re committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity for children with SEND, which is why we’re putting lived experience at the heart of our reforms and creating a direct line to parents across the nation.
“We want this to be the biggest national conversation on SEND in a generation, and I urge parents, teachers and all those with views to participate and help us deliver lasting reform.”
Gould said the consultation will continue following the white paper, which will be published next month.
Consensus for change
Tom Rees, Chair of the DfE’s expert advisory group for inclusion, said: “Over the past year, the expert advisory group has enjoyed spending considerable time listening to and engaging with schools, parents, children and young people, as well as experts and organisations across the sector.
“There is a strong consensus that the system doesn’t work well enough and needs reforming so that it works for all children. It is also clear that there is lots of good practice that exists within schools which we can build on and learn from.
“I look forward to this period of further engagement, and the opportunity to bring ministers and officials together with parents, professionals and children right across the country.”
Multi-agency input
Amanda Allard, Director of the Council for Disabled Children, said there was a genuine commitment to getting the SEND reforms right.
“We encourage parent and carers, teachers, therapists, and professionals from councils, the youth justice system, the NHS, and the voluntary sector to share their insights, challenges, and questions,” she said.
“By bringing together those who use the system of SEND support with those who provide it, we can learn what truly makes a difference in children’s lives and better understand the frustrations and barriers that need to be overcome”
A development group of key stakeholders, including SEND parent groups, will meet regularly with Ministers between now and the end of January to drive reform, and a toolkit will be shared with schools and settings to encourage them to share information with their communities.
*Sign up to attend a regional engagement event here or an online event here.
