1. Support and aspiration: Progress and Next Steps Jonathan Duff

2. Next Steps published today!  Original Green Paper, published in 2011, made a strong case for reform and set out a vision for a new, more simple system  The consultation had a huge response – around 2400 formal responses – and indicated broad support for the reforms.  The changes are already being piloted in 20 local pathfinders.  This report responds to the consultation, sets out the progress we have made and our next steps in taking forward our plans, through legislation and in other ways.

3. Next Steps: Headlines  Replacing SEN statements and Learning Difficulty Assessments with a single, 0-25 assessment process and Education, Health and Care Plan from 2014  Seeking statutory protections comparable to those currently associated with a statement of SEN to up to 25 in further education  Parents/young people with an EHC plan given the right to a personal budget for support.  local authorities and health services required to link up services for disabled children and young people – so they are jointly planned and commissioned.

4. Next Steps: Headlines  A new legal right for children to seek a place at state academies and free schools. Local authorities would have to name the parent’s preferred school so long it was suitable for the child.  Requiring Local Authorities to publish a ‘local offer’ showing the support available to young people and their families in their area, who have special educational needs.  Introducing mediation for disputes and trialling giving children the right to appeal if they are unhappy with their support.

5. Next Steps: Preparing for Adulthood  EHC Plan to provide comparable statutory protections to an SEN statement for 16-25s in further education  Young people to be able to express a preference for where they would like to be taught.  Mediation for young people and their families up to age 25  …. and redress – ideally through the Tribunal system – where this is unsuccessful.

6. Next Steps: Preparing for Adulthood  more flexible approach to study programmes so that young people can follow a programme designed to meet their individual needs.  expanding FE ‘clusters’ to encourage greater partnership working between independent specialist colleges, general FE and special schools  A £3m trial of Supported Internships launched in 15 further education colleges this autumn for 16 to 25 year olds with the most complex learning difficulties or disabilities.

7. The future: Children and Families Bill  A draft Bill published this summer, informed by early findings of the Pathfinders.  A period of ‘pre-legislative scrutiny’ across summer and into the autumn. A further opportunities for consultation and for Pathfinders to inform the development of legislation.  Our intention is to introduce the Bill to Parliament early in 2013.  Pathfinders feeding in every step of the way, and the evaluation informing how the reforms are implemented (subject to legislation securing Parliamentary approval in 2014).