EXCLUSIVE: DfE answers further questions on “targets” for EHCP cuts, removing children from specialist provision and plans to boost SEND in schools

After our articles on Matt’s discovery of the apparent 20% cuts targeted for EHCPs for local authorities in the Government’s “Delivering Better Value” in SEND programme, we were contacted by …

Research: Cost of Living Crisis having “profound and far-reaching consequences”, increasing SEND needs while forcing cuts to school support budgets 

Amy Skipp, ASK Resesarch, and Jenna Julius, NFER Over the last few weeks, NFER and ASK Research have published a three-part research series, funded by the Nuffield Foundation, investigating the …

SEND Minister denies the Government is aiming to cut EHCPs by 20% with an emphatic, but unconvincing, explanation

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 …

The parables of SEND: Is it more like ‘the drowning man’ or ‘the tree and its fruits’?

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 …

Updated exclusions and behaviour guidance and how a thoughtful school culture can avoid discriminating against learners with SEND

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 …

It’s time to end the “double impact” of poor experiences at the intersectionality between Race and SEND: A Call to Action!

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 …

A new SEND minister NOW? Disabled children deserve better than to be a government testing ground for ambitious MPs

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 …

63% of teachers say their school’s insufficient support for children with SEND is a barrier to pupil learning

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 …

We must keep pushing for more autism education says charity leader, amid growing anger and confusion over Government SEND plans

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 …

A New Hope: The TikTok SEND Parents planning to protest the Government’s failure to support their disabled children

If you were involved in SEND back in 2019, you will have been aware—or may have participated—in protest marches and events around the country to highlight the crisis facing disabled …

Research: Meeting the SEND needs of disabled children early delivers £380k return per learner and dividends for society

With Claire Dorer OBE, CEO of the National Association of Independent Schools and Non-Maintained Special Schools (NASS) A new research report into the value of disabled children receiving prompt and …

Innovative use of student specialists has revolutionised our schools’ SEND therapy and cut assessment waits to just 10 days

by Conrad Bourne, Mercia Trust Our post earlier this year, ‘No specialists = no support’ highlighted a severe shortfall in the number of speech and language therapists and other specialists …

Webinar Recording: “We’re not even testing mandatory mediation” SEND Minister, Claire Coutinho answers your questions

On Tuesday 2nd May, we were joined by Claire Coutinho, Education Minister with responsibility for SEND to discuss the SEND Improvement Plan. Many of you sent in questions before the …

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