Families give mixed verdict on SEND reforms

An interim report that evaluates the impact of the new SEND assessment process on families’ experiences found “varying levels of progress” in pathfinder areas where key elements of the reforms were first trialled.

Families reported their views and suggestions were listened to during the assessment process with these also being reflected in the decisions over what support needed to be put in place.

In addition, pathfinder families praised the length and straightforwardness of the assessment planning process.

However, parents still reported having to explain their child’s needs on multiple occasions – something the new system is trying to reduce – while there appeared to be no improvement in the perceived “fairness” of the decisions arrived at.

While parents were also impressed with how professionals involved in the assessment of their child shared information, they reported no significant improvement in how they, or their services, worked together.

The research, carried out by SQW and commissioned by the Department for Education, compared the views of 328 pathfinder families who completed an education, health and care (EHC) plan between August 2013 and January 2014 and 1,000 families using the old system.

Pathfinder families reported an improvement in the quality and quantity of the support they received through the EHC plan compared with the previous system.

It also found the new system had helped improve the confidence and aspirations of children and young people. However, the report states there is no evidence that pathfinders had a “significant impact on the perceived health or quality of life of the child or young person”.

Most of the key SEND reforms were introduced countrywide from September after the Children and Families Act completed its passage through Parliament earlier in the year.

Many of the measures included in the reforms were piloted by 20 pathfinder areas covering 31 local authorities from 2011.

A final report will be published in March 2015.