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.
Decision type: Non-key
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Notice of proposed decision first published: 20/02/2017
Decision due: Not before 30th Mar 2017 by Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education
Lead member: Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education
Lead director: Keith Abbott
Contact: Julie Ely, Head of SEN Assessment and Resources Tel: 03000 416063 Email: julie.ely@kent.gov.uk.
Consultees
CabinetCommittee recommendationsand otherconsultation:
Thismatter wasconsidered andendorsed bythe CabinetCommittee forEducation andYoung People'sServices atits meetingon 30thMarch 2017.
Cabinet:
Members consideredand endorsedthe SENDStrategy 2017-2019ata Cabinetmeeting whichwas held onMonday 26thJune 2017.
Legal implications: The Children and Families Act 2014 reduced the timescale for statutory assessment from 26 weeks to 20. It extended the age range of young people covered by the Act to 25, replacing separate legal provisions for young people in schools and colleges with a single EHCP and new rights of appeal. It introduced new duties on the Council to publish a local offer of available services on Kent.gov and to jointly commission services with health commissioners.
Equalities implications: Children and young people with special educational needs are at greater risk of underachieving than their non-SEN peers. In Kent, over 7,000 children and young people have greater difficulty learning and it is necessary for the authority to put in place an Education Health and Care Plan to ensure they receive the necessary provision. Within this group there are approximately 600 pupils who face a dual disadvantage because they are in public care. The SEND Strategy aims to ensure every vulnerable child can be identified at the right time, attend a good local school and achieve good progress in their learning and good outcomes at every age.