Amid increasing funding pressures and demand, councils are working to deliver comprehensive health, care and education support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
With pandemic disruption increasing the number of children experiencing speech and language difficulties, policymakers are stepping up early intervention efforts to address communication needs.
An important decision from the Upper Tribunal has upheld a holistic interpretation of section 9 of the Education Act 1996, the general principle that children will be educated in accordance with their parents’ wishes, with a duty on the local authority to specify the parent’s preferred school in a child’s education, health and care plan (EHCP) if it is considered suitable for their needs, offers “efficient” education and avoids unreasonable public expenditure.
Personalised learning approaches, often using the latest technology, improve the attainment of disadvantaged children, but critics are concerned it narrows the curriculum, finds Charlotte Goddard.
Special schools cater for children and young people with additional and often complex needs. Jo Stephenson sets out 10 emerging trends on how the education inspection framework is being applied in special schools.
Large gatherings, unexpected changes in routine, bright lights and loud music are among elements of the festive season that could make it difficult to navigate for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families.
The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted how digital services can be part of the solution to delivering care and support to vulnerable children and families – and provide new ways of tackling problems.
Recent years have seen a significant rise in the proportion of pupils identified with special educational needs and disabilities, but during the pandemic many have faced long waits to access specialist support.