The Scottish Government began consultation on proposals to extend the rights of children with capacity under the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 (as amended), and to repeal section 70 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980. The consultation would close on 28 March 2014.
Source: Extending the Rights of Children with Capacity Under the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 (as Amended) and Repealing Section 70 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980, Scottish Government
Links: Consultation document | Summary
Date: 2013-Dec
A report evaluated the SEND Pathfinder programme. It concluded that statistically robust improvements had been seen around many elements of the process, including: families' greater understanding of the process; feeling more involved and listened to; improved joint working across services; having better information; and being more satisfied with the service that they were receiving. The survey found no consistent evidence to illustrate an improvement in outcomes. Further outcome evaluation was proposed.
Source: Meera Craston, Graham Thom, Rhian Spivack, Claire Lambert, Fay Yorath, Susan Purdon, Caroline Bryson, Sanah Sheikh, and Lucy Smith, Impact Evaluation of the SEND Pathfinder Programme, Research Report 281, Department for Education
Links: Report | Brief | DE press release
Date: 2013-Oct
A report (by a group of disabled campaigners) highlighted continuing barriers for people with disabilities who were looking to access higher education courses. The report called for more support to make all aspects of university life accessible.
Source: Trailblazers, University Challenge 2013: Improving access to university life for students with disabilities, Muscular Dystrophy Campaign
Links: Report | ECU press release
Date: 2013-Oct
The government began consultation on proposals to issue a new SEN Code of Practice, and on replacing SEN statements with 'education, health and care plans' for those aged 0-25. The consultation was aimed at gathering the views of young people. It would close on 20 December 2013.
Source: Young People's Consultation on the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice (16 to 25 year olds), Department for Education
Links: Consultation document (16-25) | Response pack (16-25) | Consultation document (under 16) | Response pack (under 16)
Date: 2013-Oct
A report evaluated the support contracts awarded to six providers following the Green Paper on support for children with special educational needs.
Source: Meera Craston, Christopher Carr, Tom Wedell, and Charlotte Clarke, Evaluation of the Green Paper Support Contracts, Research Report 309, Department for Education
Links: Report | Brief | DE press release
Date: 2013-Oct
The Children and Families Bill was given a third reading. The Bill was designed to (among other things): reform the adoption system; introduce greater flexibility in parental leave arrangements; reform the system of special educational needs; strengthen the role of the children's rights watchdog; cut delays in the family justice system; and reduce regulation of the childcare sector. However, plans to allow nurseries and childminders in England to increase the ratio of children to carers were dropped.
Source: Children and Families Bill, Department for Education, TSO | Debate 11 June 2013, columns 175-294, House of Commons Hansard, TSO
Links: Bill | Explanatory notes | Hansard
Date: 2013-Jun
The Children and Families Bill was published, and subsequently given a second reading. The Bill was designed to (among other things): reform the adoption system; introduce greater flexibility in parental leave arrangements; reform the system of special educational needs; strengthen the role of the children's rights watchdog; cut delays in the family justice system; and reduce regulation of the childcare sector.
Source: Children and Families Bill, Department for Education, TSO
Links: Bill | Explanatory notes | Hansard (second reading) | Background document | DE press release | Speech | HOC research brief | Barnardos press release | CBI press release | CSW press release | EDCM press release | Fawcett Society press release | FPI press release | Labour Party press release | Mencap press release | NAHT press release | Nasen press release | NIACE press release | NUT press release | OCC press release | Scope press release | Working Families press release | Community Care report | Nursery World report | Telegraph report
Date: 2013-Feb
A study found that pupils with the most acute special educational needs spent over one-quarter of their week away from their class, teacher, and peers. This 'high degree of separation' meant that both their education and their social development suffered.
Source: Rob Webster and Peter Blatchford, The Making a Statement Project: Final Report – A study of the teaching and support experienced by pupils with a statement of special educational needs in mainstream primary schools, Institute of Education (University of London)
Links: Report | Summary | IOE press release | Nasen press release | Nuffield Foundation press release
Date: 2013-Feb
