SEND review sets out proposals for a national SEND and alternative provision system

The long awaited SEND review green paper was released this week. The SEND review sets out the government’s proposals for a system that ‘offers children and young people 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.’

The SEND review sets out three key challenges facing the SEND system:

Outcomes for children and young people with SEN or in alternative provision (AP) are poor.
Navigating the SEND system and AP is not a positive experience for children, young people, and their families.
The system is not delivering value for money for children, young people, and families.
The review contains a number of encouraging proposals to address these challenges. The DfE proposes the creation of a single national SEND and AP system, with consistent standards for how needs are identified and met.

Crucially, these standards cover every stage of a child’s journey across education, health, and care, with a greater focus on early intervention and collaboration across different sectors and departments. Additionally, the review recognises the lack of financial sustainability in the sector, with proposals to create a more stable and uniform funding environment.

The review also has an important focus on a more integrated role for AP. The report recognises AP as an integral part of local SEND systems, again aiming for funding stability for the sector.

While the SEND review is welcome, and recognises the key challenges facing SEND and AP, it is frustrating that it has been delayed repeatedly. The document is also lacking in a timeframe for implementation, and there is still a long way to go before the proposals become legislation. Schools North East will be working with schools in our region to ensure the North East’s voice is heard in the forthcoming consultations.