Government publishes SEND Improvement Plan
By Rachel Lawler
The government has published a new SEND Improvement Plan following last year's consultation on a range of proposals to improve the accessibility and availability of SEND provision from the ages of 0 to 25.
The full document is available .
Key policies likely to impact the early years include:
- The creation of a new SEND system, which covers ages 0 to 25 and aims to “fulfil children’s potential”.
- The creation of new National Standards, aiming make clear what support should be available, who has to make provision available and what budgets should be used.
- A review of SEND funding to ensure it is “appropriate and well-targetted”.
- Training for 5,000 early years professionals to gain a Level 3 SENCO qualification.
- A review of the Early Years Educator Level 3 criteria to ensure all courses include a focus on supporting children with SEND.
Commenting, Neil Leitch, CEO of the Alliance, said: “Every child, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, should be able to access high-quality education and support – and for it to have the biggest impact, this access simply must start in the early years.
"As such it is positive to see that the government's SEND Improvement Plan acknowledges the importance of high-quality SEND provision that starts from the early years, and critically, the need for a review into the existing early years SEND funding system.
"However, warm words will only take us so far. It is absolutely pivotal, therefore, that this review leads to a significant and long-term increase in early years SEND funding – because, as it stands, funding does not come anywhere near close to what is needed. We know that early educators are extremely committed to supporting children with SEND, but the fact is that the current system is not fit-for-purpose and as such, it is increasingly impossible for them to be able to do so sustainably.
“The government’s SEND improvement plan is a starting point, but there is clearly a huge amount of work to be done if we are to turn rhetoric into action, and ensure that families receive the support they need when it has the potential to make the most difference.”
Pre-order now for download by the end of the month
Our publication, Effective SEND Practice in the Early Years: Next Steps following the Improvement Plan 2023, explores these changes and considers what they mean for the early years sector. It helps educators to develop their practice and ensure provision is inclusive.
This electronic publication: defines what is meant by SEND, explains how to create an inclusive and enabling environment, considers ways of identifying emerging areas of support, explores how to secure support, outlines ways to effectively work with parents and professionals, and what is meant by ‘working from a strength perspective’.
The Alliance will update this electronic publication as more information becomes available. Renewed versions will be sent to people who have purchased a copy.