Dept. of Education and Dept. for Health – SEND News 6th November 2017 Dear All We wouldn’t usually publish government’s SEND Implementation news fully – mostly because they tend to be a little dry. But this is really good. Articles cover: 1. Residential Provision – independent review and resulting actions 2. SEN Support – what works and a resource guide 3. Accessibility and Transport – a consultation We’ve done a bit of re-formatting, but otherwise this is verbatim. Read on…
SEND Announcements and Opportunities – published 4.30pm 6th Nov. 2017 1. Publication of Dame Christine Lenehan and Mark Geraghty’s review of residential special schools and colleges The department has today published “Good intentions, good enough?” https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/residential-special-schools-and-collegessupport-for-children …an independent report into the experiences and outcomes of children and young people in residential special schools and colleges. In December 2016, ministers commissioned Dame Christine Lenehan to lead an independent review into these schools and colleges. Dame Christine, a social worker by background, asked Mark Geraghty, chief executive of the Seashell Trust, which runs an outstanding residential special school and college, to co-chair the review. The review, informed by a call for evidence and fieldwork visits to schools, colleges, local authorities and other services, found that: • Some children and young people in specialist residential placements can have negative experiences earlier in their education prior to seeking residential placements • Some LAs are reluctant to use residential provision, even when they lack a viable alternative placement. This is partly because it can be more expensive, but also because some are hostile toward independent/non-maintained providers. As a result, families felt they had to fight to access these placements • While experiences in residential placements tend to be good, outcomes are sometimes not as good as they could be, with some providers prioritising wellbeing over educational progress • The report contains a series of recommendations for government and other agencies, focusing on: • ensuring children and young people with SEND get the services and support they need in their local community (in mainstream or special provision) • ensuring that local areas have planned and commissioned provision strategically, so that it is available when required • ensuring the accountability and school improvement systems enable schools and colleges to achieve the best possible outcomes