André Imich, SEN and Disability Professional Adviser, DfE

Improving Outcomes for Children and Young People - The SEN ReformsImplementing the SEND reforms NE Regional Conference, NewcastleWednesday 22 January 2014 André Imich, SEN and Disability Professional Adviser, DfE

Our vision • SEN picked up early; • Support put in place quickly; • Staff with knowledge, understanding, attitudes and skills; • Parents know what they can reasonably expect; • Increased focus on life outcomes; • Integrated assessment Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP); • Greater control for parents and young people.

Children and Families Bill 2013 Key Highlights 3

1. Involvement of children, young people and parents at the heart of legislation

2. More coordinated assessment process; new 0-25 Education, Health and Care Plan

Assessment and Planning - Principles of emerging practice On-going process, regular person-centred reviews ‘Tell us once’ approach to sharing information CYP and families at centre and in decision-making Effective co-ordination between services. Practitioners engaged and committed Key-working to provide a single point of contact.

EHCPs - Principles of emerging practice Person centred, Focussed on outcomes, Specific about provision. Clear, concise, readable and accessible. Fulfil statutory duties and support portability. Forward looking re key transition points. Specify other types of support where needed.

3. LA, health and care services to commission services jointly re SEN & disabilities.

Joint commissioning – Two new duties Duty 1 - LAs and clinical commissioning groups to work together to arrange local services to meet the education, health and care needs of CYP with SEN and disability Duty 2 - Clinical Commissioning Groups to secure the health services that are specified in EHCPs

4. LAs to publish a clear, transparent local offer of services for all CYP with SEN

Local Offer • Co-produced with parents, children and young people • Services involved in development and review • Cover universal, targeted and specialist services • Make clear how to access support and services, • Clarify how decisions are made, by whom, and redress • Up to date, and written in plain language • Clarify provision schools and colleges deliver

5. New statutory protections for young people aged 16-25; stronger focus on preparing for adulthood www.preparingforadulthood.org.uk

6. Offer of a personal budget for families and young people with a Plan, extending choice and control over their support

Personal Budgets – key principles • Based on clear, agreed outcomes • Transparent and challengeable • Allow families and young people to manage elements of the additional and individual support they need • An integral part of the planning process • Reflect the holistic nature of an EHCP • Support provided for parents/ young people • Allow for local flexibility

7. All SEN duties to apply equally to all schools, inc. Academies and Free Schools

Headline changes to Code of Practice Single piece of statutory guidance on SEN 0-25 SEN system Shorter, clearer and more concise. Includes provisions in the Children and Families Bill. FE sector included for first time

Schools • Qualified teacher designated as SENCO • Publication of information • School support • Four areas of need • Admissions

Timetable for reform (Indicative) • 2013 – Improved Bill in Parliament. • 09 Dec 2013 – Code consultation ends • Spring 2014 – Amendments to Code • Spring 2014 – Royal Assent • September 2014 – reforms go live (meeting green paper commitment to have reforms in place by 2014)

………… Questions ………… Comments ………… Points of clarity ………… Discussion

André Imich, SEN and Disability Professional Adviser, DfE