SSAT broadly welcome the ambitions set out in the white paper Every child achieving and thriving. We welcome the decision to place SEND reform at the heart of the paper – the difficulties faced by school leaders, teachers, parents and, most importantly young people themselves are well known and represent one of the most significant challenges in our system. We are pleased to see recognition of the role that funding plays in ensuring that schools can meet the needs of young people with SEND and welcome both the commitment to increased funding in the short term and a longer term intention to ensure that funding for SEND is redirected back into state-funded settings.
Ensuring that schools can easily access specialist support in areas such as speech and language, educational psychology and occupational therapy would be a very positive step, and would help to address inequality in the current system, in which access is often dependent on parents’ ability to pay. Clearly, this would require investment over time, not least to ensure that adequate numbers of specialists are available.
We will await further information about the introduction of Individual Support Plans and changes to the review process for EHCPs, but hope that the stated commitment to ensuring that every child can access the support they need remains at the heart of decision-making, whilst also being mindful of any impact on the workload of teachers.
We were pleased to see the fundamental importance of the role specialist schools play recognised and believe that the expertise of leaders and teachers in that sector must be mobilised to support the development of a new system that works for all learners.
We were glad to see the government consulting widely around these important issues to shape the White Paper and welcome the commitment to continue to work closely with school leaders to address the challenge of making these ambitions a reality. We agree that if school leaders are supported to work with each other, and are truly listened to by government that progress can be made.
SSAT are also pleased to see that the white paper matches its vision for SEND with increased focus on supporting schools in their attempts to tackle disadvantage, particularly where it is more entrenched for families and within communities.
In addressing the needs of both of these vulnerable groups, those with SEND and those from families and communities facing disadvantage, the white paper appears to recognise the need for reform of the structures around schools and pupils. More importantly, the white paper appears to recognise the need for such reforms to be better funded and resourced than has been the case in recent years.
School leaders are currently managing a period of substantial change, something we hope will be recognised as the plans move to the next stages. Addressing the deep-rooted issues relating to SEND provision will require time and care, and we hope that government will aim to minimise change in other areas while this process takes place.
As with any significant change, success depends on a well-planned process of implementation. We hope that a more detailed plan will follow shortly which provides clarity and reassurance for school leaders, parents and young people. The team at SSAT remain committed to working in partnership with school leaders and teachers during this period of change, helping to ensure that every learner, regardless of background or starting point, leaves school equipped to lead a fulfilled and purposeful life.
