Earlier this week, I attended the valedictory lecture in London for Dame Christine Lenehan, the long-time Director of the Council for Disabled Children. Dame Christine took up the role twenty …
The new SEND Minister, David Johnston, has denied the Government is working towards cuts of 20% in EHCPs for local authorities on its “Delivering Better Value” (DBV) programme, as we …
I recently came across two linked articles written by academic Alan Hodkinson discussing the history of the SEND system. They immediately drew my attention as the articles attempted to understand …
by Eleanor Wright, CEO of SEND legal charity, SOSSEN As well as updated exclusions guidance, the Department for Education also issued updated guidance on school transport just before the summer …
It feels like decades since “hopeful beginnings” for a new school year was a reality, even before the actual fabric of school buildings threatened to fall. For parents of vulnerable …
by Matt Keer and Tania Tirraoro Matt writes: On Friday, we took a look at the Department for Education’s Delivering Better Value in SEND financial intervention programme. Fifty-five of England’s …
The world of SEND is swamped with consultants and cost-saving schemes at the moment, and even more are being planned. We’ve looked at some of these already. Today, it’s the …
By Imogen Steele, Policy and Public Affairs Officer, Contact Our post today comes from Imogen Steele of the charity Contact about their upcoming webinar on 19 September about Free School …
Today, we are delighted to welcome a new columnist, Frances Akinde. Frances is a former special secondary headteacher and NASENCO who has worked across the breadth of education settings. She …
It’s not even the start of the school year and I’m already furious. Why, you ask? Apart from the fact that the Department for Education is moving forward apace with …
Four years ago, the Department for Education (DfE) began a review into the SEND system. Six months ago, the DfE announced what government’s SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan would …
With Becky Maddern for Scope For most children, a trip to the park is a fun way to pass an hour or so. The slide! The climbing frame! The swings! …
How to bring down the ever-rising number of appeals to the SEND Tribunal is a vexing question occupying many minds at the top of government. It was central to the …
If you have been involved in an EHCP appeal before the SEND Tribunal, then there is a good chance that you will have experienced the frustration of a local authority …
The SEND trope of the EHCP “Golden Ticket” has recently once again raised its pernicious head on social media. Over recent years, the term has been employed to imply the wrong-headed …
A quick post to let you know about two brilliant events we’re involved with this week: The Schools Week Festival of Education and nasen live! Schools Week Festival of Education …
With Paula McGowan OBE Few of us will be unaware of the scandal of young disabled people abused, mistreated, or neglected in residential health and education settings One of the …
A new survey of 6,000 teachers and senior leaders across England shows supporting children with SEND is one of the top five expected challenges in schools over the next 12 …
The SEND stats for 2023 have been published and the numbers both of children on SEN Support and those with EHCPs are still rising. You can read our analysis of …
with Jolanta Lasota, CEO, Ambitious About Autism There is an information vacuum from the Department for Education about what’s going on with its SEND Improvement Plan. And, as nature abhors …
