Families invited to share their thoughts on SEND reforms

The Department for Education wants to hear views, experiences, and insights from as many people as possible over the coming months. The national conversation encourages everyone from parents and carers to those working in schools, colleges, early years and health settings to get involved and help build a consensus on what works to help deliver lasting reform. Every voice will help shape the system for children and young people. Councillor Victoria Aitken, cabinet member for children, families and education said: “I’d encourage people to feed into the conversation, to ensure the views and experiences of families, educators and experts inform the national reforms to SEND, and that the reforms are grounded in lived experience and practical insights.” Five key principles are guiding the Government’s approach to reform:

•Children should receive the support they need as soon as possible. Intervening upstream, including earlier in children’s lives when this can have most impact, will start to break the cycle of needs going unmet and getting worse. •Children and young people with SEND should be able to learn at a school or college close to their home, alongside their peers, rather than travelling long distances from their family and community.  Special schools should continue to play a vital role supporting those with the most complex needs. •Every school education setting should be resourced and able to meet common and predictable needs, including as they change over time, without parents having to fight to get support for their children. Where specialist provision is needed for children and young people in mainstream, special or alternative provision, we will ensure it is there, with clear legal requirements and safeguards for children and parents. •Effective. Reforms should be grounded in evidence, ensuring all education settings know where to go to find effective practice that has excellent long-term outcomes for children and young people. •Shared. Education, health and care services should work in partnership with local government, families, teachers, experts and representative bodies to deliver better experiences and outcomes for all our children and young people.

Go to www.gov.uk/dfe/SEND-conversation to deliver your thoughts on the SEND reforms.