The Government today announced a package of support worth nearly
£45 million to provide additional help for children with special
educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Minister for Children and Families confirmed the additional
funding for councils and organisations to continue transforming
SEN provision and put families at the heart of the system.
The reforms which began in 2014 introduced Education, Health and
Care plans which are tailored to the individual needs of the
child or young person.
In addition to the funding to bolster the roll out of these
reforms, a new £9.7million fund has been set up to create new
supported internships, helping to bridge the gap for some of the
most vulnerable young people between education and employment.
The announcement has been welcomed by the National Children’s
Bureau
Minister for Children and Families said:
We have taken action to fundamentally reform support for
children with special educational needs, making sure that
families are at the heart of the process and care plans are
tailored to individuals – and our survey of parents tells us
that this has made a difference to so many of these families.
Councils are making encouraging progress, but there is still
work to be done to fully embed this improved system across
education, health and care sectors.
That’s why I am pleased to announce this additional investment
for councils and other groups who have been instrumental in
getting us to this positive stage. Their hard work is raising
the aspirations of these young people and giving them access to
the same opportunities as their peers, helping them fulfill
their full potential as adults.
The package of funding announced today includes:
-
£29 million to support councils and their local partners to
continue pressing ahead with implementation of the reforms to
the SEND system;
-
£9.7 million to establish local supported internship forums,
which will create work placements for young people with SEND
to provide them with the skills and confidence they need to
move into paid work. The funding could also be used to train
job coaches, who are vital to the success of supporting those
with learning difficulties into paid work; and
-
£4.6 million for Parent Carer Forums, which bring parents
together with local decision makers and help to provide them
with a voice in the process.
Annamarie Hassall MBE, Director of Practice and Programmes at the
National Children’s Bureau, said:
The funding announced today will help more children with
disabilities and special educational needs get the support they
need to live normal lives in their home communities. In
particular, we welcome funding for internships, which will
provide young people with valuable work experience as they make
the transition to adulthood.
The Minister also confirmed that further funding would be
available to build capacity in the system and support the ongoing
delivery of the SEND reforms over the next two years. Invitations
to bid for these contracts, which will include providing families
with access to information, advice and support, continuing
support for the SEND workforce, and expert support to local
areas, will be published online shortly.
