THE biggest education reforms in a generation for children and young people with special educational needs came into effect this week – but children’s charities say the changes do not got far enough.
Children and Families Minister Edward Timpson said the new Children and Families Act will offer simpler, improved and consistent help for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
As well as protecting the schools budget, the new law will extend provision from birth to 25 years of age, giving families greater choice in decisions and ensuring needs are properly met.
It will also extend rights and protection to young people by introducing a new Education, Health and Care plan. Professionals will also provide more tailored support to families, giving them the help and assistance they need.
However, Simon Shaw, Policy and Parliamentary Manager at the National Autistic Society, said: “The reforms do not go far enough. NAS research shows that nearly 50% of parents have waited over a year to get the right support for their child.
“A joined up system of redress is needed to counter this, with education, health and care plans underpinned by a single point of appeal. Without this, we’re concerned that too many families will continue to face an exhausting process of being passed from pillar-to-post while they fight for the right support.
“The ultimate test for these reforms is whether they can end these battles for support and create a system in which parents are equal partners in decisions about their child’s education and the planning of local services. Ensuring that children with autism are able to get local support at an early stage is vital if they are to reach their full potential.”
Amanda Batten, chief executive of Contact a Family, said: “Whilst these changes are welcome we are worried that not all children with SEN will be eligible for an Education Health and Care Plan and, as a result, may still struggle to get the support they need in school – particularly where resources are tight.
“In order to be successful and to work properly, there needs to sufficient cash in place but the need for additional funding has not been addressed.
“Many of the families we speak to are feeling anxious and worried about the changes and what it will mean for their child. Contact a Family will now be closely monitoring how the new system is translated on the ground and whether it will make the difference that has been promised to families with disabled children.”
Worried about how the changes might affect your child? Call Contact a Family’s freephone helpline 0808 808 3555 or click here
The new system will:
– Replace SEND statements and learning disability assessments with a new birth-to-25 education, health and care plan – setting out in one place all the support families will receive.
– Require better co-operation between councils and health services to make sure services for children and young people with SEND and disabilities are jointly planned and commissioned.
– Give parents and young people with education, health and care plans the offer of a personal budget – putting families firmly in charge.
– Require councils to publish a ‘local offer’ showing the support available to all disabled children and young people and their families in the area – not just those with educational needs.
– Introduce mediation for disputes and trial giving children and young people the right to appeal if they are unhappy with their support.
– Introduce a new legal right for children and young people with an education, health and care plan to express a preference for state academies, free schools and further education (FE) colleges – currently limited to maintained mainstream and special schools.
