SEND News and Reforms

Message from the SEN Implementation Team at DfE:

We are writing to inform you that today we have updated our Guidance for full opening: special schools and other specialist settings.  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-full-opening-special-schools-and-other-specialist-settings/guidance-for-full-opening-special-schools-and-other-specialist-settings

 Overall the guidance has been updated and refreshed to reflect the Prime Minister’s announcement on 23 November on the lifting of the National Restrictions.  

 We have updated the information in the following sections mainly to reflect the Local Restriction Tiers: 

 

You may also be interested in yesterday’s publication of the 2 December guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/cev-from-2-dec

DfE SEND division have written today that they have updated Guidance for full opening: special schools and other specialist settings.  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-full-opening-special-schools-and-other-specialist-settings/guidance-for-full-opening-special-schools-and-other-specialist-settings

DfE SEND division would like to make you aware of an update today to the Safe Working in education, childcare and children’s social care guidance:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care-settings-including-the-use-of-personal-protective-equipment-ppe

"In collaboration with Public Health England, we have reviewed and updated the section of the guidance on aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) in education and children’s social care settings. During this process we have worked with an expert group including NHS England, senior clinicians, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, the Royal College of Nurses and SEND sector organisations including special schools, to reach a consensus based on current evidence and good practice.  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care-settings-including-the-use-of-personal-protective-equipment-ppe#what-specific-steps-should-be-taken-to-care-for-children-with-complex-medical-needs-such-as-tracheostomies

We want all children and young people to be able to attend their educational setting and this revised guidance has sought to balance the need for children and young people requiring AGPs to be in their school or college whilst ensuring that the safety of all staff and pupils has been considered.  

We know that all settings, children, young people and learners have individual needs, and this guidance should be adapted to meet these individual circumstances, focusing on collaboration between education and care settings, families, local authorities and health providers. It is important that settings and services continue to communicate clearly with parents on progress so that children, young people and learners who need AGPs can be supported to return to their setting safely."

Today, 9 November 2020, the Department for Education have circulated an open lettter from Vicky Ford, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families.

The letter is addressed to all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), their parents/carers and families, and others who support them.

You can download a PDF copy of the letter   pdf here .

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/

 

DfE SEND division would like to draw your attention to an updated version of the https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-full-opening-special-schools-and-other-specialist-settings"  Guidance for full opening: special schools and other specialist settings to reflect the actions special schools and other specialist settings need to take to support full opening from the start of the autumn term. The main updates are listed at the start of the document and include:  

  • changes to SEND legislation 
  • use of face coverings in settings 
  • the framework for supporting transport to and from settings 
  • pupils who are shielding or self-isolating 
  • actions for all schools and local authorities with regards to recording attendance and absence 
  • employer health and safety and equalities duties 
  • support available for schools with regard to supply teachers 
  • performance management and appraisal for teachers 
  • health and safety 
  • music, dance and drama in school 
  • wraparound provision and extra-curricular activity 
  • physical activity in schools 
  • new resources available for pupil wellbeing and support 
  • behaviour expectations 
  • primary assessment 
  • additional resources available for delivering remote education 
  • health and safety risk assessments for those with an EHC plan 

AGPs 

The government is committed to a full return to school for all pupils. There are a small number of children with complex needs that require AGPs to be undertaken where risks need to be carefully managed in the context of the pandemic and we are aware of the concerns being raised around this issue. Schools, health and local authority partners need to work together on how the current guidance applies in their setting and to the specific children they are working with in order to enable them to return to school safely. We have heard examples of good practice locally and are working with PHE and NHSE to establish whether any changes to the guidance or further information about practice principles are needed. It is important that schools communicate clearly with parents on progress towards supporting children who need AGPs to return to school safely. 

DfE SEND division would like to inform you that Regulations that they made to provide additional flexibility over the statutory timescales for various EHC needs assessment and plan processes will expire as planned on 25 September 2020. The normal statutory timescales will apply from that date.  

They have published a minor update to the guidance, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-the-law-on-education-health-and-care-needs-assessments-and-plans-due-to-coronavirus

DfE SEND division would like to draw attention to new guidance published on 12 August to support the government’s intention for all children and young people, in all year groups and places of education, to return to education full time from the beginning of the autumn term.
 The guidance is for local authorities, which will also be of interest to transport operators and education settings. It is in two parts:
  • Part A provides guidance for local authorities on managing the capacity of, and demand for, public transport, and increasing capacity of both public and dedicated home to school services, so that children can travel safely to and from school.
  • Part B provides guidance about taking measures to reduce risk on dedicated home to school transport in the autumn term.
Solutions in relation to transport planning for the wider return of school children must be locally led. The precise pressures on the local transport network for both home to school transport, and public transport, will vary greatly by area, and solutions will need to reflect local circumstances that apply.
 
This guidance has been developed in conjunction with the Department for Transport and with advice from Public Health England (PHE) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
  1. **NEWSFLASH** SEND LEGISLATIVE CHANGES - EXPIRY OF S42 MODIFICATION NOTICE
  2. DfE Response to the Select Committee on SEND
  3. SEND Newsflash - 21 July 2020 - Joint DfE/DHSC Ministerial Letter
  4. DfE Standards and Testing Agency - Update on Engagement Model
  5. SEND Newsflash - 2 July 2020 - Publication of September opening guidance
  6. SEND latest Statistics
  7. SEND legislative updated and schools admissions code consultation
  8. SEND Newsflash - 18 June 2020 - SEND Tribunal Announcement
  9. SEND Newsflash - 2 June 2020 - Important change to Covid-19 guidance for education and childcare settings
  10. Open letter from the Minister for Children and Families - 30 May 2020
  11. SEND Newsflash - 29 May 2020 - Extension of the temporary changes to the law for those chldren and young people with Education, Health & Care Plans
  12. SEND Newsflash - 26 May 2020 - Supporting children and young people with SEND as schools and colleges prepare for wider opening
  13. NEWSFLASH: FAMILY FUND
  14. SEND Newsflash - COVID-19 Guidance - 11 May 2020
  15. DfE planning framework for re-opening of schools
  16. Reporting Year 2020 Education, health and care plans