SEND Reivew - Column
When the SEND Review was announced in 2019, ADCS welcomed the opportunity to take stock as members recognise that the reforms introduced by the Children and Families Act 2014 are not delivering the intended outcomes. While the principles of the reforms are absolutely right, ADCS has been saying for some time that implementation has resulted in a range of unintended consequences, meaning the current system does not work for children. We have seen an unprecedented increase of 79% in requests for an education, health and care plan as a means of accessing support and as a result, there has been a drift away from inclusion in mainstream education and an over reliance on independent specialist provision, with insufficient early support in place. There is now an inbuilt expectation that education will continue until age 25 and while this is right for some, it shouldn’t be the default or used as a proxy for care, and a range of quality options is essential. Going forward, the level of demand within the SEND system is simply unsustainable without fundamental reform.
The findings of local area SEND inspections have also highlighted a range of challenges in the system. Many areas have been found to have weaknesses resulting in a written statement of action. It is difficult to believe so many areas have struggled to progress reform but the challenges are real; there are fundamental systemic issues that we need to collectively address to improve the system for children and young people.
The DfE recently announced a review of the SEND Review, providing the opportunity to go back to basics and reflect on the collective ambition for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, look at new factors such as the health reforms and further academisation of schools, and seek solutions. ADCS wants a partnership system that is driven by the principles of inclusivity, focusing on the holistic needs of children and young people, to enable them to attend the most appropriate setting, as close to their home and community as possible, while also supporting them to maximise their independence and be ready for a high-quality adult life.
Essentially, we need a child and young person-centred vision for what ‘good’ looks like in the SEND system which isn’t just captured through an education lens. Education is only part of the answer; we need to develop a better offer. Wrap around support, quality opportunities and short breaks are critical elements of this, as are partnerships with parents. We have come a long way since 2014 and there is certainly more joint working than ever before, in many ways our experiences over the last 18 months have helped to accelerate this. As we move into the new world of integrated care systems and with a spending review around the corner, we need to turn our attention to the knotty issues around accountability and funding if the system is ever going to truly reflect the principles of the reforms and deliver for children and young people.
Charlotte Ramsden, ADCS President 2021/22 This article first appeared in CYP Now Magazine