Susan Ebbels

40% of children currently with EHCPs would risk falling through the gaps and receiving inappropriate provision under the proposed SEND reform. Appropriate provision requires recognition of the full profile of a child’s needs, evidence-based support from a well-resourced and well-trained workforce that includes specialist Experts at Hand, and robust routes to challenge provision which does not meet needs.   While the workforce challenges and legal issues have been discussed at length elsewhere, the criteria for recognising needs and allocating provision have received less attention. Under the proposed plans, the “areas of development” and draft […]

On Monday, the Government set out its proposed reforms to the SEND system in England. The proposals aim to strengthen mainstream inclusion, address long-standing pressures within the system and improve outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). We recognise the significant challenges currently facing SEND provision – rising demand, stretched resources and the need for earlier, more consistent support. Against this backdrop, meaningful