The government is conducting a review of the SEND system in England. As parents and carers, we have two immediate chances to influence the policy during the consultation process – through the national network of Parent Carer Forums and directly through the government’s own website. We encourage you to have your say.
The government has set out a series of proposals in a Green Paper. It believes these proposals will create “a system that offers children and young people with SEND the opportunity to thrive with access to the right support, in the right place, and at the right time, so they can fulfil their potential and lead happy, healthy and productive adult lives.” You can read more about the government’s plans here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/send-review-right-support-right-place-right-time
The government website says that the review has identified 3 key challenges facing the SEND and alternative provision system.
- Navigating the SEND system and alternative provision is not a positive experience for too many children, young people and their families.
- Outcomes for children and young people with SEND or in alternative provision are consistently worse than their peers across every measure.
- Despite the continuing and unprecedented investment, the system is not financially sustainable.’
The Staffordshire PCF strongly believes that it’s critically important that the changes made to the system are based on the lived reality of children and young people with SEND as well as their families and carers. Which means that we have to share those experiences with the people making the policy.
The National Network of Parent Carer Forums has a simple 10-15 minute survey here: https://nnpcf.org.uk/category/consultations/ It closes on 30 June. You can also read the NNPCF’s initial reaction to the government’s Green Paper here: https://nnpcf.org.uk/2022/03/29/send-green-paper-response-from-the-nnpcf/ . It will help guide you through some of the issues.
You can also respond directly to the government’s own survey. It’s available here: SEND Review: Right support, right place, right time – Department for Education – Citizen Space This survey is open until 22 July.
You can also let us at the Staffordshire PCF know your views by emailing us at info@staffspcf.co.uk or joining us as a member https://staffspcf.co.uk/join-us/ .