Mar 1, 2023, Independent: Government unveils long-awaited reforms for supporting children with Send https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/government-england-children-special-educational-needs-disabilities-b2292474.html?amp
Thousands more specialist school places have been approved across England.
Thousands more specialist school places will be provided and staff training will be expanded to ensure children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) can get the help that they need earlier.
The Department for Education (DfE) has published its long-awaited improvement plan to provide high-quality, early support to children with Send across England in a bid to end the postcode lottery.
As part of the plan, 33 new special free schools will be built which will provide thousands of additional specialist places for children with Send.
The DfE said £30 million [$36M] will also go towards developing innovative approaches for short breaks for children, young people and their families, providing respite for families of children with complex needs….
In March last year, the DfE published proposals for reforming Send and alternative provision (AP) in England as part of a green paper consultation….
Children’s Commissioner for England Dame Rachel de Souza said: “Children with Send and their families have, for too long, felt penalised by a system that doesn’t support their needs.
“I am particularly pleased to see this plan’s focus on early help, which will prevent families from reaching breaking point, and the increase in specialist school places so that many more children are able to attend a great school, every day.
“I have called for children’s voices to be at the heart of this plan, so I am encouraged by the move to make EHC Plans digital, standardised, and more focused on what each child wants.”
Stephen Kingdom, campaign manager for the Disabled Children’s Partnership, said: “Parents have been waiting years for the Government to fix the broken Send system, but the reaction of many to today’s plan will be “is that it?”.”…
