Green Paper aims to end postcode lottery of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
The government has today published its green paper on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
The green paper is the result of the SEND Review, commissioned to improve what has been labeled as an inconsistent, process-heavy and increasingly adversarial system that too often leaves parents facing difficulties and delays accessing the right support for their child.
Government plans for reform will now open for a 13-week public consultation
The green paper includes proposals to set new national standards across education, health and care. Current Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) are set to be digitalized to reduce bureaucracy, and there are details of new local inclusion plans’ that will bring together early years, schools and post-16 education with health and care services.
The green paper also details plans for a new national framework for councils for banding and tariffs of High Needs, which is designed to offer clarity on the level of support expected, and to put the system on a financially sustainable footing in the future. There are also plans for improved workforce training with the introduction of a new SENCo NPQ for school SENCos.
The Government will also look set to approve up to 40 new special and AP free schools in regions where they are most needed
Commenting on the proposals, Education Secretary, Nadhim Zahawi, said, “We want to end the postcode lottery of uncertainty and poor accountability that exists for too many families, boost confidence in the system across the board and increase local mainstream and specialist education to give parents better choice”.
Continuing he said, “I want to make sure everyone knows what to expect, when to expect it and where the support should come from. I know there are strongly held views and I want to hear from as many parents, teachers and children with experience of the system so they can help shape a future policy that works for them.
Campaign organsiations also appear to have given a cautious welcome to the government’s proposals.
Cllr Lucy Nethsingha, Deputy Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, said: “Despite the best of intentions, the current system is not working, and we are pleased government has set out reforms to address this. They will only succeed if parents and carers have confidence in the system.
Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: “We are relieved that Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Alternative Provision (AP) education are seen as a priority for the Education Secretary, and we agree a new approach is needed. The rising cost of educational support for students with SEND has been clear for a number of years”.
Continuing she said, “The much-delayed Green Paper offers some positive proposals that demonstrate that the government has been listening to the profession to some degree. A standard Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) may reduce workload for the school staff responsible for carrying out these important assessments”.
