Parents called on to shape overhaul of
SEND system as new legislation announced to lay
down road to reform
Parents and carers of children with special educational needs and
disabilities (SEND) have five days left to shape
the biggest overhaul of the SEND system in over a decade.
Around 1.7 million children in England have SEND – which is
roughly one in five children in schools across the country.
That is why we're setting out new changes, backed by £4 billion,
to overhaul a broken SEND system that has failed children for too
long, so that every child gets the right support, in their local
school, at the earliest possible stage, without having to fight
for it.
The government has committed to creating this new system with
children, young people, parents, and professionals, and
is calling on parents to have their say on
its once-in-a-generation reforms before the
consultation closes on 18 May.
The final days of the consultation come as the
government has today ushered in a new era of inclusive education
– announcing the Education for All Bill in today's King's Speech.
The new legislation will mean long-term change
that can't be easily unpicked, building on work
already underway to create a more inclusive mainstream system and
delivering high-quality education, health, and care services in
every community from 2029.
The new legislation will focus on:
- Providing early support, strong protections and fairness and
ensuring children get the support they need quickly through
new legal duties to put an Individual Support Plan (ISP) in place
for every child and young person with SEND and National Inclusion
Standards.
- Clearer protections for children with the most complex needs
through reformed EHCP processes, Specialist Provision Packages
and stronger oversight of Independent Special Schools.
- Managing a smooth transition to the new system that is
centred on fairness through clear transitional protections,
including a triple lock to ensure no child loses
effective support as the system changes.
Education Secretary
said:
"Children with SEND deserve a system that lifts them up, and that
puts no limit on what they can go on to achieve.
“That means overhauling a broken SEND system that has failed
children for too long - through investment, training and
legislation to build foundations for reform that can't be easily
reversed.
"The Education for All Bill is a vital lever in this process, but
I am clear that any changes must be built with the families they
are designed to serve.
"There are five days left to feed into our consultation, and
I want to hear from as many parents as possible to make sure we
build a system fit to last.”
The consultation closes at 11:59pm on Monday 18 May. Responses
can be submitted at SEND reform: putting
children and young people first - Department for Education -
Citizen Space.
The King's Speech allows for the Government to announce its
legislative agenda intentions for the upcoming parliamentary
session. When a Bill is announced in the King's Speech, this is
confirming the government's intention to legislate, it is not the
introduction of legislation.
Parents can read more about our proposed changes at Schools white
paper: What parents need to know about
changes to the SEND system – The Education Hub.
