Accountability: the number one change you would like
In January, we ran a giveaway for a copy of Disabled children, A Legal Handbook. Congratulations to Lisa Thomas who won the copy. When people entered the giveaway, we also …
Category: SEN Reforms 2014
Facts and stats: the differing views of SEND reform success
Late last week, the DfE published its latest newsletter about the special educational needs and disability reforms. The issue was packed with information and if you want to read it …
Top tips for navigating an EHCP process – for both parents and SEN departments!
Tania writes: Ask anyone who’s been through England’s new special educational needs statutory assessment as part of the EHCP process, and you’re more likely than not to hear a sorry …
Hands off! SNJ learns new council funding to boost SEND implementation isn’t ring-fenced
The government announced recently that £80 million was to be given to improve the implementation of the SEND reforms. £38.5 million is for local authorities to tackle the areas where …
£80 million to boost support for Special Educational Needs
On Friday, the Department for Education (DfE) announced that £80 million was to be made available to extend opportunities to children with special educational needs and disabilities. The announcement stated: A …
The DfE answers your Top 10 questions on the changes in SEN and disability education: Part 2
So, today we have part two of the answers to the Top 10 questions submitted by you, through SNJ, to the Department of Education. Part one, if you missed it, …
The DfE answers your Top 10 questions on the changes in SEN and disability education: Part 1
For our first post of 2016, it’s right back into the thick of it. Last year we asked you to submit your Top 10 questions for the DfE about your …
What parent carers told the Minister at his SEND reform stock-taking session
Earlier this week I attended a round-table event at the Department for Education hosted by the SEND Minister, Ed Timpson. Also in attendance were representatives from various Parent Carer Forums, …
An SNJ Infographic of the latest SEND statistics 2015
Last week the DfE released its annual “Special educational needs: an analysis and summary of data sources”. It was late but the DfE insists there was nothing “sinister” about this; …
Ask the DfE: Put your SEND queries directly to the man at the ministry
We have something special for you today – a chance to ask the questions you want about SEND to the Department for Education. The Deputy Director for SEND, Stuart Miller, …
Inspirational SEND education events and a speech that says it all
Yesterday Angela and I went to two events in London that underlined the fight that families still face to get their children the right special education support. A year on …
Driver Youth Trust report: SEND reforms led to “Fragmented provision, chaos and confusion”
Later on today, Angela and I will be attending the Westminster launch of “Joining the Dots” a report out today from charity Driver Youth Trust. The report, commissioned from think-action …
Consultation on SEND Accountability launched. We look at the big picture
So finally, what we have been waiting for – the public consultation for setting up a system of accountability for the new(ish) Special Educational Needs and Disability system. Of course …
Plain and Simple – Personal Budgets are about having control
Today, we are really delighted to have a guest post from Nic Crosby from In-Control. Personal Budgets are something many of us have heard about, a few of us have been …
What you told us about your EHCP experiences. Now tell us how it should be!
A few weeks ago we asked you to send us your EHCP transfer or application experiences, however it’s been, to help us build up an up-to-date picture of what’s going on …
The EHCP #1YearOn – views, recommendations and a chance to have your say
The National Autistic Society has published a fairly damning report saying that less than a quarter of parents surveyed are satisfied with new special educational needs system. The NAS is calling …
SEND reforms #1YearOn only 6% of deaf children see support improvement
We don’t like being negative at SNJ. We really want to be able to write about good practice, great resources and inspirational stories. But the Special Educational Needs and Disability …
SEND reforms: Transformation or Missed Opportunity?
A research paper discussing the 2014 special educational needs reforms in England, has raised serious questions about the legislation’s ability to improve inclusion and equality for those it was designed to help. In …
Dropping SEN figures and the ‘waiting room’ category: the DfE replies
A couple of weeks ago, we reported on the latest SEN figures for England that were released by the Department for Education. We noticed that there had been a rather steep …
Special Educational Needs and Disability Pathfinder final report
In September 2014, most of the Pathfinder local authorities, testing the SEND reforms came to an end and the reality of the changes came into force. Yesterday, the Department for …