Published on: 01/06/18
In 2014, the government introduced wide-reaching changes to the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system in England, with the intention of offering simpler, improved and consistent help for children and young people with SEND.
The changes introduced by the Children and Families Act 2014 intended to equip families to meet the challenges faced by children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
A committee of MPs is now reviewing the success of these reforms so Together for Short Lives is collecting feedback on the 2014 SEND changes – both positive or negative.
Changes made in the reform include:
- Replacing statements of special educational needs and learning disability assessments with education, health and care (EHC) plans (more than 98% of statements were reviewed by local authorities by the 31 March 2018 deadline, as part of these reforms)
- Extending provision from birth to 25 years of age
- Simplifying the process of assessing needs
- A duty on the NHS and local authorities to jointly commission services for all disabled children and young people
- Putting a duty on all local authorities to publish local offers which set out the services that are available to all children with SEND.
The survey will close on 7 June. Together for Short Lives is asking respondents to feedback on whether they feel the reforms have helped to join up assessments, plans and services for children with life-limiting conditions.
