The SEN Green PaperYour views

Background

• Trailed prior to election and immediately post May• Coalition Schools Minister, Sarah Teather launched

review in September• To inform Green Paper in ‘Autumn’• Critical Ofsted report• Percentage of Children with a statement of Special

needs placed in a mainstream school:• North East second lowest in the country with 38.4%% compared

to 53.4% • Middlesbrough has the lowest % of statemented pupils in

mainstream schools in each region (2010)

The SEN Review

“Most significant since Warnock” June 2010

“I want to make inclusion work better for parents who want to keep their children in mainstream education”

Michael GoveSecretary of State

“I want special and mainstream schools to work more closely together”

“Local Authorities are the gatekeepers and funders in the SEN system; this needs reform, I think it is wrong”

“I want the review to look at why so many children are identified as having SEN ; this is critically important.”

I want parents, teachers, charities, teaching unions and local authorities to come forward with the changes they think are needed to make the system better for children with SEN and their families.

Parents should be in control of their child’s education and future. Importantly, they must be involved in discussions and decisions about the support they need rather than feel they have to battle the system. I want to make it easier for parents to choose where their child is educated.

I want to look at every aspect of SEN – from assessment and identification to funding and education. We need to strip away the cumbersome bureaucracy but ensure there is a better, more comprehensive service for families.”

“Children with special educational needs and disabilities should have the same opportunities as other children, but the current system is so adversarial that too often this doesn’t happen.

Sarah TeatherEducation Minister

Areas highlighted•System too complex•Greater choice to parents “end battle for everything”•Improve diagnosis and assessment •Improve supply of specialist staff + CPD•Overhaul funding – “more cost effective”•Halt unnecessary closures of Special Schools•Post 16 support•Greater transparency•Less bureaucracy

Overview

1. What about the current system needs to change?

2. What about the current system needs to be retained?

Identifying needs

1. The statutory frameworks – do they work/are they appropriate?

2. Early identification and speed of access to support – how can this be improved?

3. The process of assessment – how can the linkages between services, engagement with parents and professional input be strengthened?

Accessing the right support

1. How can we/do we need to improve the choices of schools and services available to parents and the opportunities for them to be involved in decisions that affect their family?

2. What are the barriers to parental choice?

3. What should be the role of the LA?

Post 161. How can we ensure all schools and colleges

have high expectations for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, and help young people to develop the skills for employment and their future potential and contribution to society?

2. How can we improve the transition from school to adult life for young people with special educational needs and disabilities and the support provided for their families throughout?

Teacher supply and development

1. How can we increase the number of SEN specialist teachers?

2. How can we improve all aspects of SEN professional development for teachers from ITT on?

Leadership

1. How can we increase the number of SEN specialists moving into school leadership?

Collaboration

1. How can we strengthen relationships between Special Schools and mainstream schools?

New policies– implications for SEN?

1.Spending cuts

2.Academies

3.Free schools

How can we help?

Questions?www.schoolsnortheast.com

www.flse.org.uk