Will the government’s SEND Improvement Plan bring about real improvement and what might it mean for pupils with SEND, their teachers and their schools? Daniel Stavrou looks a three key issues
Last term, the Department for Education (DfE) published the SEND and alternative provision improvement plan (DfE, 2023; SecEd, 2023), building on its earlier Green Paper (DfE, 2022a).
I was asked to offer some thoughts on the plan on behalf of the Special Educational Consortium – a group of organisations who promote the rights of children with SEND – at a meeting in Parliament of the Education Select Committee.
The DfE’s plan acknowledges the complexity and level of challenge that exists within the SEND system and the difficult experiences of some children and families that result. It also puts a welcome focus on early intervention and support which will be essential in ensuring needs are met effectively.
