And yet another SEND consultation, this time: EHCP Annual review timescales
Consultations are, it seems, like buses. You wait two years for one, then three come along at once. Or, in the case of this new consultation about EHCP annual reviews, …
Ofsted and the CQC reveal plans for new Area SEND Inspections
**Watch a webinar on the consultation from Ofsted** Every local authority and health body in England has now had its SEND provision inspected by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission. A …
WEBINAR: #SENDReview Legal Roundtable. What are the legal implications of SEND Green Paper?
We’ve been debating all the merits and otherwise of the SEND Review Green Paper for some time now. But what are the legal implications? We know that some of the …
The SEND Green Paper and the Down Syndrome Act (2022)
We’re delighted that Sharon Smith, Parent advocate and PhD researcher, University of Birmingham has joined us as a regular columnist. Recently, you may have seen celebrations across social media platforms …
The #SENDReview must embed Speech, Language and Communication skills across education, especially teacher training
with Amy Loxley, Lead Speech and Language Advisor for I CAN, One of the major criticisms of the SEND Review is its silence about the revolution in SEND teacher training …
Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII) and Perplexing Presentations – New guidance for social work practitioners
with Sally Russell, Trustee, The PDA Society Scientific rigour in medicine is, thankfully, the rule rather than the exception. We want our medicines, procedures, and treatments to be based on …
Behaviour management in schools: legally, the playing field has not been levelled
And Alex Stafford, Solicitor, IPSEA legal team member, parent of teenager with SEND The publication at long last of the SEND Review has taken up nearly all our attention in …
What’s in the Children’s social care review for disabled children?
Children who are looked after by the state (CLA) are undeniably among the most vulnerable in the country, and those who are both looked after and have SEND (a large …
Human Rights, The Equality Act and Inclusive Education: The 12 changes the #SENDReview Green Paper needs for a paradigm shift
Richard Rieser is a disability campaigner and expert in inclusion. This article is his view of how the Green Paper interplays with equality, human rights and inclusive education The SEND …
Campaigning for inclusive education for children with Down’s syndrome
with Chris Barnes, Down’s Syndrome International Diversity and inclusion. Two words we champion daily, the holy grail for those in the disability community. But what do they mean? And how …
The EHCP statistics 2022 don’t tell the whole story. And see who topped the new EHCP LA Hall of Shame!
At the end of last week, the Department for Education (DfE) published their annual statistical summary of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) in England. These figures can tell us a fair …
What are the implications of the #SENDReview for deaf children?
with Justin Cooke, National Children’s Deaf Society I’ve got two deaf boys. They’ve experienced some of the best and the worst that the English SEND system has to offer, under …
What the evidence says about the 13 crucial areas for quality in Alternative Provision
with Dennis Simms, IntegratED Hub Lead The SEND Review Green Paper places great emphasis on including alternative provision within a “single system” with mainstream and special schools. The DfE want …
How can the #SENDReview implement new changes while avoiding the same mistakes of the last reforms?
Let’s kick off with some Green Paper quotes: “Disabled children and children with SEN tell us that they can feel frustrated by a lack of the right help at school …
#SENDReview: A vision for Alternative Provision, but where’s the evidence?
by Susie Lenihan, Renata Blower & Tania Tirraoro Chapter 4 of the SEND Review Green paper is focused on reforming the way alternative provision is used and integrating it within …
Bureau of Investigative Journalism finds SEND funding black hole grew by 52% in a year, with one child in a SEND school 412 miles from home
The Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ) is an independent, not-for-profit organisation with a mission to hold power to account. TBIJ have spent the last few months looking into the SEND …
#SENDReview: Downgrading SENCO training is a mistake but protected time must be mandatory
with Tristan Middleton, University of Gloucestershire & chair, LLSCIC. Under the SEND Code of Practice, SENCOs must be gain a Masters-level NASENCO award within three years of taking the role. …
#SENDReview: What is excellent SEND provision from early years to adulthood?
So what’s in chapter 3? From the title, you can assume it’s about provision – specifically SEND provision one would imagine. I’ve broken them down into sections, including specifically for each …
Déjà vu: How will the #SENDReview end the over-promising and under-delivering cycle of support for disabled children?
As you have seen, SNJ are unpicking the detail and supporting parents to have a voice throughout the SEND Review Green Paper consultation. Much is laudable in the SEND review, …
#SENDReview: Why mandatory mediation in SEND appeals isn’t wanted–or needed
with Margaret Doyle, author, accredited SEND mediator One of the proposals in the SEND Review Green Paper is for compulsory mediation before parents can register an appeal at the SEND …