Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reform will come under the spotlight at the Isle of Wight Council this week, amid rising demand and after ‘deep concerns’ with proposed changes.
Local areas are required to develop and submit system-wide improvement proposals by the end of June as part of Whitehall’s ongoing SEND plans.
The proposals are intended to address long-standing challenges in SEND provision such as delays in assessment and support, and inconsistencies in outcomes for children and young people, according to a council report.
This work is being carried out locally through a partnership approach including County Hall, NHS organisations and other key stakeholders.
Councillors on the adult social care, public health and housing needs committee are due to scrutinise several related points at a meeting (tonight) Thursday starting at 17:00.
These include the key commitments from health partners within the SEND reform plan, the current position on waiting times for SEND-related health services and how progress will be monitored.
The government has said changes to the SEND system, announced as part of the Every Child Achieving and Thriving schools white paper, will mean children receive the right support early on as standard, wherever they go to school.
Included in this year’s King’s Speech, the Education for All Bill confirms the government’s intention to legislate on the changes.
New legislation will concentrate on providing early support, strong protections and fairness and ensuring children get the support they need quickly, Whitehall said.
There is also to be a focus on clearer protections for children with the most complex needs and managing a smooth transition to the new system that is centred on fairness.
Earlier this year, however, the Isle of Wight SEN Support Group expressed ‘deep concerns’ about the proposed changes.
Parents argued that the document, which was under consultation until 18th May, focused too much on mainstream schools, making it harder for children to get specialist help.
There have also been concerns that SEND pupils could receive fewer legal protections, having to use school complaints systems and mediation processes rather than independent tribunals.
