Decision details

To note the progress delivering the SEND Strategy and approve the new revised Kent SEND Strategy for 2017-19 which sets out the Council’s priorities for action leading up to 2020.

In September 2014, the Children and Families Act 2014 introduced reforms to the way in which children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are supported to learn.  Setting out a four-year transitional period ending March 2018, the Government acknowledged the significant scale of the reforms. At the core, there is a new statutory duty to ensure that the views of children and young people with SEN and disabilities and those of their parents are given importance.

Kent’s SEND Strategy 2013-16, was designed to prepare for and deliver the changes and was developed in partnership with families, schools, early years settings and health service partners. It forms the County Council’s policy for SEND. A new refreshed Strategy builds on the progress to date, identifying what we have achieved and our priorities for action leading up to 2020.

As Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, I agree to approve the new revised Kent SEND Strategy for 2017-19 which sets out the Council’s priorities for action leading up to 2020.