Care provision for children with special needs to be overhauled

Abstract

Although many schools have support services in place to aid the learning of vulnerable students, it is becoming increasingly important for schools to also offer social and behavioural support to make sure nothing stands in the way of students achieving their full potential. Last month, the government published draft legislation on the reform of provision for children and young people with special educational needs (SEN), setting out the framework for a new system to support those currently identified with SEN and disabilities (Department for Education (DfE), 2012a). The Children and Families Bill will offer the biggest reform in 30 years, building on the reforms to the health service and drawing on recommendations of the Children and Young People’s Health Outcomes Forum. Key measures for SEN include the move to a single assessment process (0 to 25) which is streamlined, better involves children and families and is completed quickly. Also, Education Health and Care Plans (EHCP) will replace the statement, aiming to bring services together and improve outcomes. The requirement for local authorities and health services to jointly plan and commission services that children and their families need means that the local authority’s role will still be key in delivering and facilitating education services. Meanwhile, the requirement for the local authority to publish a local offer indicating the support available to those with SEN and disabilities and their families will no