The Department for Education (DfE) has just published a document entitled “Special educational needs and disability. A guide for parents and carers” . This gives details of changes to the SEN system which apply from 1st September 2014, reflecting new legislation and changes to regulations and guidance. It also includes a list of resources and help available to parents.
Note in particular that it includes information on the new Education, Health and Care needs assessments and plans. (EHC will become an increasingly used acronym), and the latest ‘official’ guidance on ‘What you can do if you disagree with your local authority’s decisions’.
This extract from the guide’s introduction explains the legislative changes which have required its publication:
“Although this is not a legal document, it is based on the Children and Families Act 2014 and the Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014 and the Special Educational Needs (Personal Budgets) Regulations 2014. It is also based on the 0-25 Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice 2014 (0-25 SEND Code of Practice) which is statutory guidance. In writing this guide, the department for Education worked with parents of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and organisations that represent and advise them. We also looked at other guidance that had been produced for parents of children and young people with SEN and disabilities. ”
Please note, and perhaps remember, especially the words of Edward Timpson, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families, writing in the guide’s foreword:
“The system for supporting children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities is changing. For far too long, many families have had to fight for the support they need. That has to stop. I want to see a system where families are at the heart of things. A system where decisions taken by those who provide support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities really do put those children and young people first. The most important people in any child or young person’s life are their parents. You know your children best of all. What you as parents think, feel and say is important. You should be listened to and you need to be fully involved in decisions that affect your children. That’s what the new system is all about. ”