SEN statements to be replaced with joined-up education, health and social care support

9 March 2011 2 mins read Janaki Mahadevan Education Special Educational Needs Health Disabled children and young people

Statements of special educational needs (SEN) are set to be scrapped and replaced with a single assessment that will cover children's education, health and social care needs, in an attempt to reduce the number of children placed on the SEN register.

The proposals are set out in the government’s SEN green paper, which also outlines plans to give parents the legal right to personal budgets by 2014.

The government wants to join up education, health and care support for children with SEN and focus on children who need the most intensive support. The existing categories of School Action and School Action Plus, which cover children who need less intensive support, will be dropped in favour of a new school-based category where teachers will be trained to focus on raising attainment.

Children’s minister Sarah Teather said: "We have heard time and time again that parents are frustrated with endless delays to getting the help their child needs, and by being caught in the middle when local services don’t work together.

Register Now to Continue Reading

Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's Included