SEND review consultation extended
Fiona Simpson
Wednesday, May 11, 2022
Children’s minister Will Quince has announced a three-week extension to a public consultation on the government’s plans to improve support for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The SEND and Alternative Provision (AP) green paper, which was first launched in 2019 before being blighted by delays, was published in March.
A public consultation on the recommendations set out in the review was launched on 29 March and was initially set to last eight weeks.
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However, Quince has announced on Twitter that it will now run until 22 July following the publication of a British Sign Language version of the green paper alongside an “easy read” version and a version published for children and young people.
Quince wrote in a tweet: “I’ve listened to your concerns and I’m extending the SEND Review consultation to July 22.
“A full, fair, open consultation is key to our vision for more inclusivity. We've published a suite of accessible versions of our Green Paper so even more people can get involved.
“I encourage children and young people with special educational needs, their parents, carers and those working with them to take part in the consultation.”
The green paper lays out proposals to reform support for children with SEND including the creation of new national standards for SEND support across education, health and care and a legal duty on councils to introduce “local inclusion plans” across early years, schools and post-16 education with health and care services.
Plans have also been set out to make mainstream education more accessible for children with SEND.
