The published NatSIP response to the Education Select Committee Inquiry on the impact of Covid-19 can be found at https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/8329/pdf/

 

The DfE response to the Select Committee on SEND, which was published on 23rd July, can be found through this link:

On 16 July 2020 July the Standards and Testing Agency updated their information about the Engagement Model:


As you will be aware, the Engagement Model is the new assessment (replacing P scales 1 to 4) for pupils working below the standard of national curriculum assessments and not engaged in subject-specific study. We published the Engagement Model guidance (see https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-engagement-model) in March 2020 and intended that it would become statutory from September 2020.

Following the disruption caused by coronavirus, we recognise that some schools may not have had the opportunity to engage with the guidance and training opportunities, and as a result may be less prepared to implement the Engagement Model. Therefore, the 2020/21 academic year will be a transitionary year (subject to the necessary legislation being made) where schools will have the time to prepare for, and start embedding, the model by:

  • identifying the relevant cohort of pupils
  • using the engagement areas to observe and assess the level of engagement for individual pupils
  • evaluating the curriculum

We will also use a flexible approach for the submission of teacher assessment outcomes at the end of key stages 1 and 2. Schools that have used the engagement model will be able to report against it, and schools that need more time to implement this change will continue to have the option to assess against P scales 1 to 4, for one final year.

The proposal is that the Engagement Model will then become statutory from September 2021.

The latest school statistics on SEND are published today, confirming another rise in the proportion of pupils with EHCPs and continuing rise in those on SEN support. 

https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/special-educational-needs-in-england

 

The Government today announced that the Family Fund will receive funding of £37.3m in 2020-21. This includes £10m which has been allocated to help families in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. More details can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/37-million-to-support-children-with-complex-needs

The Family Fund provides grants to families on low incomes who have disabilities or severe medical conditions. You can find out more about the Family Fund here: https://www.familyfund.org.uk/

DfE have published a ‘framework’ to help schools plan for the phased re-opening of schools. It includes a number of excerpts which seem particularly relevant to professionals working in schools and services for pupils with Sensory Impairment, copied below:


Agree what returning support is available for vulnerable and/or disadvantaged children (including any dual-registered students) and put in place provision for the return of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in conjunction with families and other agencies and engage with partners who will help to provide that support, for example, local authorities.

Work with your local authority or trust (and where applicable NHS Clinical Commissioning Group) and families to identify what provision can be reasonably provided for in line with education, health and care (EHC) plans.

Agree ongoing approach for learning offer for vulnerable children and children of critical workers who are in school but not in the returning year groups.

Work with other school based-provision as necessary (for example, nursery, SEN unit) to ensure policies are aligned where they need to be.

Ensure you have considered the impact on staff and pupils with protected characteristics, including race and disability, in developing your approach.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-educational-and-childcare-settings-to-prepare-for-wider-opening-from-1-june-2020/opening-schools-for-more-children-and-young-people-initial-planning-framework-for-schools-in-england

The government has today published data on the number of children and young people with a statement of special educational needs (SEN) or education, health and care (EHC) plan in England. The publication also provides data on the administration of statements of SEN and EHC plans.

https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/education-health-and-care-plans

The Public Accounts Committee report on SEND has been published today. 

https://committees.parliament.uk/work/35/support-for-children-with-special-educational-needs-and-disabilities/publications/