SEN Reform Update for Head teachers

September 2014

David Carroll

SEN/Inclusion Lead & Principal Educational Psychologist

Aims of the session

• To provide a brief overview of national timescale for SEN reform

• To share key details of the DFE SEN code of practice

• To update on local progress in implementing changes

• Implications for schools of the changes

• Joint commissioning underway locally – needs assessment, planning, market development, collaboration with families

• Regular review of local offer, and awareness raising of local offer

• Annual reviews of EHC plans. Children and young people with statements / LDAs transfer to the new system*

• Review service budgets to offer increased personal budgets

• Regular review of information, advice and support available to families

• Joint commissioning underway locally – needs assessment, planning, market development, collaboration with families

• Regular review of local offer, and awareness raising of local offer

• Annual reviews of EHC plans. Children and young people with statements / LDAs transfer to the new system*

• Review service budgets to offer increased personal budgets

• Regular review of information, advice and support available to families

Bill receives Royal Assent

New 0-25 SEN system becomes available

Reviewing success for reforms locally and agreeing improvementsReviewing success for reforms locally and agreeing improvements

Lead for SEN reform in post Statement legislation is

repealed*

Convening key players and raising local awareness

Convening key players and raising local awareness

Planning service delivery and preparing for implementation Planning service delivery and preparing for implementation

•Developing plans for joint commissioning

•Developing the local offer, fully involving parents and young people

•Developing processes for assessment, planning and EHC plans

•Identifying services which could be provided through personal budgets

•Planning provision of local information, advice and support (with users)

•Reviewing and developing local mediation and disagreement resolution arrangements

•Engage local partners, including new partners such as further education and training providers

•Developing plans for joint commissioning

•Developing the local offer, fully involving parents and young people

•Developing processes for assessment, planning and EHC plans

•Identifying services which could be provided through personal budgets

•Planning provision of local information, advice and support (with users)

•Reviewing and developing local mediation and disagreement resolution arrangements

•Engage local partners, including new partners such as further education and training providers

LDA legislation is repealed*

Consult on Code of

Practice and transition

Consult on Code of

Practice and transition

3

Children and young people with Statements and LDAs transfer to the new system*

Children and young people with Statements and LDAs transfer to the new system*

Local offer published*EHC plans for new entrantsPersonal budgets available

* Subject to (national) consultation

Information and support from: Pathfinder Champions; Council for Disabled Children (CDC); and funded delivery partnershipsInformation and support from: Pathfinder Champions; Council for Disabled Children (CDC); and funded delivery partnerships

Local transition plan published*

Legislation comes into force

2. Timeline for implementing a new approach

Regulations, statutory guidance and transitional arrangements published

SEN Code of Practice (2001):Some things remain the same

• Statutory process continues to be about SPECIAL

EDUCATIONAL NEEDS• Definition of SEN exactly as in the current Code of

Practice• A child may be disabled and not have SEN• A child may have SEN and not be disabled• A child with significant care needs (requiring high

levels of intervention) may or may not have SEN.

Changes from the SEN Code of Practice (2001)

• covers the 0-25 age range and includes guidance relating

to disabled children and young people as well as those with SEN

focus on the participation of children and young people and parents in decision-making at individual and strategic levels

focus on high aspirations and on improving outcomes for children and young people

guidance on the joint planning and commissioning of services to ensure close co-operation between education, health and social care

Changes from the SEN Code of Practice (2001) continued

• guidance on publishing a Local Offer of support for children and young people with SEN or disabilities

• replacing school action/+ with SEN support • 0-25 Education, Health and Care plan (EHC plan) replace

statements and Learning Difficulty Assessments (LDAs)• greater focus on making successful transitions to

into adulthood• Relates to duties under the Equality Act 2010 and

relevant provisions of the Mental Capacity Act 2005

 

Progress in Tower Hamlets

• Three work streams overseen by a project board

• Integrated Commissioning• Implementing EHC Plans• The Local Offer• Over lapping themes such workforce

development, engagement IT and safeguarding.

Changes for schools and services

• The Local Offer gathered in common formats from schools & services

• Working with children and families in person centred ways

• Linking more clearer how interventions aim to deliver particular outcomes for the child or young person

• Converting statements into EHC Plans

New Education Health & Care Plans next steps

• Training on Person Centred Approaches for many services

• Support networks such as the SENCo conferences

• New ways of working: - say it once - key working with families - focus on outcomes (more than ‘education’)• Use the new templates on service specific

advice (in line with the CoP)

Converting statements to EHC Plans next steps

• The transfer plan• At a glance to conversions:- a guide to

the process• The conversion support team:- in

borough• The conversion support team:- out

borough

Link to DfE SEN Green Paper Pathfinders

• http://www.sendpathfinder.co.uk/