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Special needs pupils in 'fragmented' system Special needs pupils in 'fragmented' system
(about 3 hours later)
A series of changes has left pupils in England with special educational needs and disability (Send) in a "fragmented" system, a charity has said.A series of changes has left pupils in England with special educational needs and disability (Send) in a "fragmented" system, a charity has said.
The Driver Youth Trust report says the changes have caused confusion and a greater variation in the quality of help offered.The Driver Youth Trust report says the changes have caused confusion and a greater variation in the quality of help offered.
The charity calls for a review of support for children with Send.The charity calls for a review of support for children with Send.
The Department for Education (DfE) said many families had reported finding the new system more straightforward.The Department for Education (DfE) said many families had reported finding the new system more straightforward.
The Driver Youth Trust outlines a number of changes since 2010 that have affected children with Send and their families.The Driver Youth Trust outlines a number of changes since 2010 that have affected children with Send and their families.
It highlights the Academies Act 2010, which enabled more schools in England to become academies, free from local authority control, as well as changes in 2012 aimed at ending disparities in school funding.It highlights the Academies Act 2010, which enabled more schools in England to become academies, free from local authority control, as well as changes in 2012 aimed at ending disparities in school funding.
Also, in September 2014, a new special educational needs (SEN) code of practice came into force in England, with the stated aim of putting pupils at the centre of their education planning.Also, in September 2014, a new special educational needs (SEN) code of practice came into force in England, with the stated aim of putting pupils at the centre of their education planning.
Changes under the new Send code of practice include:Changes under the new Send code of practice include:
The Driver Youth Trust says these changes have contributed to a fragmentation that means "navigating the system has become incredibly challenging for students, parents, schools and sector organisations".The Driver Youth Trust says these changes have contributed to a fragmentation that means "navigating the system has become incredibly challenging for students, parents, schools and sector organisations".
And with school increasingly expected to meet children's needs in the classroom rather than through specialist provision, teachers "more than ever need training and accurate information about their pupils".And with school increasingly expected to meet children's needs in the classroom rather than through specialist provision, teachers "more than ever need training and accurate information about their pupils".
"The dominant rhetoric behind reform has been that of 'autonomy'," the report, Joining the Dots, says."The dominant rhetoric behind reform has been that of 'autonomy'," the report, Joining the Dots, says.
"Yet an autonomous environment is also a risky one. In relation to Send, we find that while some schools have thrived, other are struggling to provide high-quality teaching and additional support for their learners.""Yet an autonomous environment is also a risky one. In relation to Send, we find that while some schools have thrived, other are struggling to provide high-quality teaching and additional support for their learners."
The outcomes for Send pupils are increasingly dependent on a school's leadership, it says.The outcomes for Send pupils are increasingly dependent on a school's leadership, it says.
The charity is calling for school leaders to regard Send pupils' achievement as a whole-school priority, not just that of specialist staff.The charity is calling for school leaders to regard Send pupils' achievement as a whole-school priority, not just that of specialist staff.
It calls on the government to reform school admissions so that all schools are part of the same process and subject to independent appeals - whether or not they are an academy.It calls on the government to reform school admissions so that all schools are part of the same process and subject to independent appeals - whether or not they are an academy.
And it urges councils to engage parents and young children in the development of their local offers.And it urges councils to engage parents and young children in the development of their local offers.
The DfE said it had received positive feedback about the changes from many families.The DfE said it had received positive feedback about the changes from many families.
A spokeswoman said many parents had found the new process more straightforward.A spokeswoman said many parents had found the new process more straightforward.
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