Author: Ruth Perry, Senior Policy Manager, Natspec

Ruth joined Natspec in January 2017 following 12 years as an independent consultant specialising in SEND. Her work has included specialist and general FE colleges, independent training providers, adult and community and offender learning providers and with a range of organisations including local authorities, government departments, awarding and sector bodies and membership organisations. Ruth began her career teaching English and drama in secondary schools. She is passionate about young people and adults with learning difficulties and / or disabilities having the chance to fulfil their potential – and ensuring national policies support them to do so.

Explaining the new SEN system, Higher Education, POST16, SEN Green Paper, SEND, special educational needs, special needs

Will the SEND and AP Improvement Plan improve the lives of 16-25 year olds with SEND?

By Ruth Perry, Senior Policy Manager, Natspec March 22, 2023 March 21, 2023

So, at last we have a SEND and AP Improvement Plan. The big question now is: was it worth the wait? If you’re a 16 to 25-year-old with special educational …

Columnists, POST16, special needs

Government plans for Level 2 courses leave teenage learners with SEND out in the cold

By Ruth Perry, Senior Policy Manager, Natspec November 24, 2022 November 23, 2022

A high proportion of 16–19-year-olds on courses at Level 2 and below have a special need or disability (SEND). So you might expect improving programmes for learners with SEND to …

Guest Posts, post 19, POST16, SEND Review, special needs

Post 16: What’s in the #SENDReview Green paper for 16-25-year-old disabled young people?

By Ruth Perry, Senior Policy Manager, Natspec April 6, 2022 November 8, 2022

About SNJ’s SEND review coverage: SNJ is bringing you lots of information and analysis about the SEND Green Paper. We are also interested to hear the responses of other organisations …

Guest Posts, POST16, special needs

Poor advice for Post-16: Why Katie & Harvey Price’s long hunt for a suitable college is far from unique

By Ruth Perry, Senior Policy Manager, Natspec March 2, 2021 November 8, 2022

with Ruth Perry, Senior Policy Manager at Natspec We’re approaching the 31st March deadline for updated Education, Health and Care Plans for young people heading towards post-16 SEND provision. Last …

Guest Posts, POST16, special needs

Young people with SEND left in limbo with no place for September

By Ruth Perry, Senior Policy Manager, Natspec August 4, 2020 November 8, 2022

with Ruth Perry, Senior Policy Manager at Natspec, the membership body for specialist FE colleges. One of the things we’ve been hearing, that’s been borne out by our coronavirus and …