The DfE said two recently formed groups - the Neurodivergence Task and Finish Group and The Expert Advisory Group on Inclusion – will work to ensure young people with SEND can “achieve and thrive”.
The task and finish group will "help us to understand how to improve inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools, in a way that works for neurodivergent children and young people to aid reform", added the DfE.
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Karen Guldberg, professor in autism studies, head of the University of Birmingham School of Education, and former director of the Autism Centre for Education and Research (ACER) is chairing the task and finish group, whose membership covers schools, professions, local authorities, charities and researchers in the field, and who will advise on the nature of the reforms needed.
Guldberg said: “We are wholeheartedly committed to engaging widely with the field, and particularly with the lived experience of neurodivergent people and they families.
“This engagement will enable us to co-produce understandings of barriers and enablers to progress, and to make recommendations that can lead to real change.”
The DfE said the expert advisory group led by Ormiston Academies Trust chief executive Tom Rees, will meet weekly to advise on the implementation within schools.
Discussions of the group will focus on:
- Inclusive cultures
- Partnerships with families
- Improving identification in mainstream settings
- Additional support for children in mainstream settings
- Workforce capability and expertise
- Enabling conditions and incentives
Schools Minister Catherine McKinnell said: “Through our Plan for Change, we’re determined to give every child the best start in life.
“Too many children are frankly being failed by the SEND system this government inherited and the desperate need for change – as laid out by the NAO, IFS and more – is stark.
“We are thrilled to be able to work towards reform with the collective expertise and experience within these groups so that all children with SEND can achieve and thrive.”
The remaining experts are:
Task and finish group
Anita Thapar, professor of psychological medicine and clinical neuroscience at University of Cardiff
Dr Jo Bromley, service lead and consultant clinical psychologist for the clinical service for children with disabilities, CAMHS at Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Professor Duncan Astle, Goldman Sachs professor of neuroinformatics in the Department of Psychiatry, and programme leader at the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit at Cambridge University
Professor Mark Mon-Williams, chair in cognitive psychology at the University of Leeds, professor of psychology at the Bradford Institute of Health and director of Centre for Applied Education Research (CAER) and professor of paediatric vision at The Norwegian Centre for Vision
Tim Nicholls, assistant director of policy, research and strategy at National Autistic Society
Ellen Broomé, chief executive of the British Dyslexia Association
Dr James Cusack, chair of embracing complexity, chief executive of Autistica
Heba Al-Jayoosi, assistant headteacher and SENCO at Mayflower Primary School
Zoe Burlison, inclusion lead at The Ruth Gorse Academy, Leeds
Hayden Ginns, assistant director for children (performance and commissioning) across Portsmouth City Council and Portsmouth ICB places (NHS)
Adam Micklethwaite, parent of an autistic child and director of the Autism Alliance
Expert advisory group
Susan Douglas, chief executive of Eden Academy Trust
Annamarie Hassall, chief executive of National Association for Special Educational Needs
Dr Anne Heavey, director of insights for Ambition Institute
Andrew O’Neill, headteacher at All Saints Catholic College
Claire Jackson, principal educational psychologist at Salford City Council
Heather Sandy, executive director of children’s services at Lincolnshire County Council
