DfE publishes SEND and AP improvement plan

The government has published its SEND and alternative provision improvement plan following a public consultation on proposals in the SEND Review published last year.

The National Governance Association (NGA) took part in the consultation and supported the proposals, which they believe focus on creating a more inclusive system by improving outcomes, navigation and use of resources.

Key changes include:

• Introduction of National Special Educational Needs and Alternative Provision Standards to help ensure consistency across the country starting from 2025
• Accountability mechanisms to ensure the government expectations are met including the role of Ofsted and CQC
• Standardised digital Education and Health Care Plans (EHCP) template in place from 2025
• Mandatory mediation between families and councils during the EHCP process will be tested over the next year
• NPQ for SENCos will be introduced
• Thirty three new special schools in 30 councils promised, but it can take years for these schools to actually open
• National system of funding bands for pupils with SEND to ensure more consistent funding across the country. This will be developed alongside the implementation of a national funding formula
• Funding for alternative provision (AP) will be subject to a ’new funding approach’
• New ‘ladder of intervention’ will come into effect this year to strengthen accountabilities across all parts of the system.

The Plan will be overseen by respective departments through a new National SEND and Alternative Provision Implementation Board jointly chaired by the Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing and the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Mental Health and Women’s Health Strategy.