SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan - response

On 2nd March, the Government published its Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan, following the SEND Review which began in 2019.

While some aspects of the Plan are positive, taken together the reforms do not seem likely to deliver the real change and improvement children, young people and families need and expect.

The Autism Alliance has significant concerns about many of the reforms the Government will take forward. These include:

• The time it will take to achieve real change – autistic children, young people and their families are suffering now and cannot wait until 2025.

• The risk that SEND provision is constrained rather than meeting children and young people’s needs.

• The lack of sharper accountability for schools and other educational settings.

• The Government’s decision to press ahead with reforms that could undermine outcomes for children and young people (for example, mandatory mediation).

• The lack of boldness in workforce reform, risking SEND remaining on the margins.

• The risk that reducing reliance on Education, Health and Care Plans leads to fewer children and young people getting the support they need.

• The risk that a focus on standardisation and financial sustainability undermines a truly personalised approach to education and support for children and young people with SEND.

• The lack of clarity about how true co-production with children, young people and families will be achieved.

It is vital that this programme of reform delivers real change for autistic children, young people and their families. It is a once in a generation opportunity to do the right thing. The Government must work in partnership with all stakeholders across the system as reforms are planned, tested and implemented, and the Autism Alliance looks forward to working with the Department for Education and other parts of Government as the Improvement Plan is taken forward.