'The Government’s SEND and alternative provision green paper, published today (Tuesday 29 March), sets out its vision for a single, national SEND and alternative provision (AP) system that will introduce new standards in the quality of support given to children across education, health and care. You can access a copy of the Green Paper on gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/send-review-right-support-right-place-right-time
Alongside the Green paper, we have also published:
- A dedicated SEND Review website with further information about the consultation and upcoming events: https://sendreview.campaign.gov.uk/
- Supporting resources on gov.uk to help understand the green paper: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-and-ap-green-paper-responding-to-the-consultation
- A press release on gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ambitious-reform-for-children-and-young-people-with-send
- A series of social media graphics across DfE social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
The ambitious green paper is the result of the SEND Review, commissioned to improve an inconsistent, process-heavy and increasingly adversarial system that too often leaves parents facing difficulties and delays accessing the right support for their child.
The plans to reform the system will be open for a 13-week public consultation, giving families frustrated by the existing, complicated and bureaucratic system of support the opportunity to shape how a new system will work in the future - and give them confidence that their local school will meet their children’s needs so they can achieve their full potential.
Capital funding allocations worth £1.4 billion have also been published today at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/high-needs-provision-capital-allocations. This funding is for councils to pay for new places and improve existing provision for children and young people with SEND, or those who will benefit from high-quality AP. This funding will help stabilise local systems ahead of any further legislation from the green paper proposals.
The Government will also look to approve up to 40 new special and AP free schools in regions where they are most needed. This is in addition to over 60 special and AP free schools already in the pipeline.
Low-income families with seriously ill or disabled children will be further supported through investment of £27.3 million next year. This funding will help pay for equipment, goods or services - from washing machines and fridges to sensory and educational equipment that they might not otherwise be able to afford.
Over £10 million will also be invested to train over 200 more educational psychologists from September 2023, to give advice and input into EHCP assessments, advise schools on how to support pupils with SEND and offer wider wellbeing support to them, their families and teachers.'