The Department of Education has said that special needs and disability (SEND) reform will centre around inclusive mainstream.
In a recent speech at the Confederation of School Trusts’ conference, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said she plans to bring a new focus on improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream education settings including through the use of SEN Units and Resourced Provision.
She said she had been really encouraged to see some great examples of mainstream schools delivering specialist provision, such as autism provision at Mount Pleasant primary school in Darlington.
Phillipson added: “I want all children with SEND to achieve and thrive as well. But last month’s report from the National Audit Office confirmed what parents and people in this room already knew: a system neglected to the point of crisis, a system too skewed too far towards specialist provision, and a system failing families on every measure.”
The Education Secretary also announced Dame Christine Lenehan, former director of the Council for Disabled Children, as the new strategic advisor on SEND. Her role will be “convening and engaging the sector, including leaders, practitioners, children and families, as we consider next steps for the future of SEND reform.”
A new neurodiversity expert panel led by Academy trust boss Tom Rees, has also been created to help the Government drive forward work on inclusion in mainstream education settings for neurodivergent children and young people.
The “neurodivergence task and finish group” will provide “an expert scientific view on identifying neurodivergent traits in children and young people” and make recommendations on the best way to support them in education.
The National Autistic Society welcomed the news and said that the taskforce’s recommendations will help answer how to make all schools autism-inclusive, which the Government will then need to act on.
Mel Merritt, Head of Policy and Campaigns, added: “This vital step is something our supporters have campaigned hard for over the last 18 months. The truth is, our education system simply isn’t working for autistic children. Families fight too hard and too long for support and many children can’t get the support and adjustments they need. For many, this means missing out on years of education.
“Three out of four parents of autistic children have told us their child’s school place did not meet their needs. Today, we got a sign that the Government understands this. We will work hard with this Neurodivergence Task and Finish Group to make sure it creates a school system that is fit for autistic children.”
