Tag: SEND

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Education Government Health and Wellbeing

Press Release: NNPCF Responds to Government’s Expansion of Mental Health Support in Schools

The National Network of Parent Carer Forums (NNPCF) acknowledges and welcomes the government’s recent announcement to extend mental health support to nearly one million additional pupils across England. (GOV.UK)

We welcome this investment and the recognition of the critical role mental health plays in the overall well-being and educational outcomes of our children. Early intervention and accessible support within educational settings are vital components ensuring that mental health challenges are addressed promptly.

However, we must emphasize that while this expansion is a positive development, it does not fully address the unique challenges faced by some children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Many families continue to encounter significant barriers in accessing appropriate mental health services tailored to the specific needs of their children. Issues such as long waiting times, lack of specialized support, and insufficient integration between educational and health services persist, often leaving SEND pupils without the necessary resources to thrive.

It is imperative that the rollout of mental health support teams includes provisions specifically designed to meet the diverse needs of SEND students. This includes training for mental health professionals in SEND-specific issues, ensuring that interventions are adaptable and inclusive, and fostering collaboration between schools, health services, and families.

Furthermore, while the goal to provide universal access to mental health support by 2029/30 is ambitious, the urgency of the current mental health crisis among young people necessitates accelerated action.

The NNPCF remains committed to working collaboratively with the government, educational institutions, and health services to ensure that the voices of families are heard and that the mental health needs of all children and young people, especially those with SEND, are adequately met.

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Education Government NNPCF

Press Release: NNPCF Responds to Media Reports on EHCP Reductions and SEND Reforms

The National Network of Parent Carer Forums (NNPCF) is aware of recent media coverage concerning potential reductions in Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).

As the national voice of parent carer forums in England, the NNPCF has been actively engaged in a range of roundtable discussions and informal conversations with partners across Education, Health, and Social Care regarding the ongoing SEND challenges.

We fully acknowledge the current challenges within the SEND system. Too often, families are forced to fight for an EHCP in order to access support and targeted provision that should be available without the need for a statutory plan. This has a profound and lasting impact on families — from the ability of parents to work due to low attendance or part-time timetables, to high exclusion rates, increased medical appointments, and the compounded pressures of the rising cost of living.

We also recognise the concerns families have around proposed welfare benefit reforms, which could further impact their financial and emotional well-being.

The NNPCF supports the government’s ambition for a more inclusive mainstream education system — one where children and young people with SEND receive the support they need without having to navigate a complex and adversarial process. However, we firmly believe that any system MUST include strong mechanisms for accountability and redress to ensure it delivers for all children and young people with SEND.

While reforms aim to build a better system for future generations, it is essential that the new system also addresses the needs of those currently navigating it — many of whom have already been let down or traumatised by the existing framework. Rebuilding trust must be a priority.

Any changes MUST be supported by a robust implementation plan, underpinned by sufficient funding and a skilled, well-trained workforce.

The NNPCF continues to advocate strongly for meaningful and wide-ranging engagement with families. Families must be central to shaping and implementing reforms — their voices must be heard, and their lived experiences must guide the development of a system that works for all.

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Consultation NNPCF The Advanced British Standard

The Advanced British Standard

There has been a proposal to change A levels and T levels.

Recently, our cochair’s, accompanied by one of our London reps, went to see what it was all about at two Department for Education engagement events.

The Advanced British Standard is a new framework, expected to be introduced in about 10 years’ time, to bring together technical and academic routes into a single framework, replacing current A levels and T Levels.

The new framework intends to:

  • increase the number of taught hours for all students (minimum 1,475 hours over two years)
  • require students to study Maths and English to the age of 18.
  • offer greater breadth, increasing the average number of subjects students take post 16 (usually a minimum of 5), with students able to choose a combination of bigger and smaller subjects, called ‘majors’ and ‘minors.’

£600 million will be invested over the next two years to support schools and colleges in laying the groundwork for delivering the Advanced British Standard.

The engagement sessions were held with a wide range of stakeholder groups; from industry, further education settings, to those who run apprenticeships and more. There were lots of discussions in the rooms, and a keen interest to ensure that any new system is fit for purpose and will meet the needs of young people in 2034. Unfortunately, there was very little focus on SEND in the presentations, which we challenged, along with how inclusive and accessible these changes were going to be for all SEND pupils. We also raised concerns around training for new teachers/staff, delivery, including space for all students to be in college 4 days a week, with some work around infrastructure being promised pre-release of this programme.

You can find out more on the government website:

The Advanced British Standard: Everything you need to know – The Education Hub (blog.gov.uk)

Please share this information with your parent carers and encourage everyone to take part in the following consultation:

A world-class education system: The Advanced British Standard consultation – Department for Education – Citizen Space

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Uncategorized

Disability Action Plan

On Tuesday, 6 February 2024, the NNPCF attended the launch of the Disability Action Plan, presented by Mims Davies,the Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work.

The event was attended by a diverse group of stakeholders, including supporting ministers and representatives from various segments of our community. It provided a platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration, underscoring the collective commitment to advancing the rights and well-being of individuals with disabilities. 

The recent launch of the Disability Action Plan represents a step forward in implementing the objectives outlined in the 2021 strategy.  This plan obtained views in 2020, with a national consultation to gather insights and perspectives on a disability plan and strategy. Building upon the feedback received during this consultation, a comprehensive strategy was officially launched in October 2021.  

The aim of the plan is to tackle the barriers which prevent disabled people from fully benefiting from and engaging in our society.  Following a consultation that resulted in four broad categories: 

  • Improving disability inclusion in existing government policies 
  • New actions focused on the specific needs of disabled people. 
  • Improving cross-government collaboration 
  • Strengthening the evidence base 

Over the next 18 months and beyond the plan sets out 32 actions across 14 areas: 

  1. Support disabled people who want to be elected to public office. 
  1. Include disabled people’s needs in emergency and resilience planning. 
  1. Include disabled people’s need in climate-related policies. 
  1. Improve information and outcomes for families in which someone is disabled. 
  1. Make playgrounds more accessible.  
  1. Help businesses understand the needs of and deliver improvements for disabled people. 
  1. Explore if the UK could host the Special Olympics World Summer Games 
  1. Support people who have guide and assistance dogs 
  1. Help the government measure how effective its policies and services are for disabled people. 
  1. Research issues facing disabled people in the future. 
  1. Make government publications and communications more accessible.  
  1. Improving understanding of the cost of living for disabled people 
  1. Promote better understanding of the UNCRPD across government.  
  1. Monitor and report progress of the Disabled Action Plan 

The NNPCF had the opportunity to speak directly with Minster Davies and were able to highlight the importance of inclusion for across all ages and look forward to working more closely with the department on some of the key areas. 

For more information on the Disability Action Plan see: Disability Action Plan – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

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Annual report NNPCF work

NNPCF Annual Report 2022/2023

Every year we seem to start our annual report with ‘What a year!’ and this year is no exception.
We have started this year with a team like no other. We are now getting into the groove of what it’s like being a community interest company and we are grateful to our members, our steering group, and our management team, for getting us to the point we are now.

NNPCF-Annual-Report-2023Download
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Alternative provision Ofsted

Alternative provision in local areas in England

Alternative provision in local areas in England_ a thematic review – GOV.UK.pdf

Alternative-provision-in-local-areas-in-England_-a-thematic-review-GOV.UK_Download
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Health Policy Influencing Group (HPIG) Health Policy Influencing Group (HPIG) NNPCF work

Health Policy Influencing Group (HPIG) update

NNPCF logo

Jo Harrison, represents the  NNPCF as a member of the Health Policy Influencing Group (HPIG), which is hosted by the National Children’s Bureau. HPIG is a is a strong, independent voice, which advocates for improvements to the health of babies, children and young people. As a group of influential organisations, charities and Royal Colleges, HPIGs’s aim is to look to ensure that the particular and unique health needs of babies, children and young people, with and without SEND are a focus for the health system.

This report provides a snapshot of how the newly formed Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) are enacting their duties for strategic planning as outlined in the Health and Care Act 2022.

The report specifically looks at the requirements for Integrated Care Partnerships (ICPs) to produce an integrated care strategy and for Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) to produce a five-year joint forward plan (JFP). Members of the HPIG reviewed approximately 74% of plans to determine the extent to which they have reflected the needs (SEND and NON-SEND) of babies, children and young people within them.

Whilst invited to include our logo within the report, we were unable to for a number of reasons, which we confirmed to HPIG, in order to further strengthen our working relationship.

The reasons we provided were:

  1. Co-Production terminology. Our membership hold strong views and values on co-production and the definition provided, whilst outlines the HPIG view of co-production is not as clear as our membership would define. We are also mindful that due to the analysis of the data, the references to co-production throughout the report, as you do reference in your report, are based solely on the ICB representation, we are mindful that some PCFs may disagree with the ICB assertions. As you are aware there can at times be discrepancies to labelling work as co-produced, based on the understanding of the parties.”
  1. Speech Communication language needs (SCLN) – the number of plans represents only 31% of plans compared to the 74% of plans reviewed overall. We feel this could mean that the recommendations could be argued that they are not representative. Whilst we fully accept that this is likely to be a capacity issue and welcome the feedback and efforts of those reviewing of those plans, we feel the evidence, whilst likely to be representative, is not a strong enough evidence base for the recommendations.”
  1. The Executive lead roles have been highlighted and referenced throughout the report, which is welcomed as are the subsequent recommendations. That said the guidance published in May 23, goes beyond that of CYP, SEND and Safeguarding as referenced within the report. As an organisation that supports the pan disability voice of parents and carers, our preference would have been to see explicit references to the further two defined EXC Leads of Learning disability and autism (all-age) and Down syndrome (all-age) who can, dependant on ICB, be a named person different to that of those EXC Leads referenced.

We are please to report that our challenge to the report was met with the spirit it was intended and offered assurances that reflecting the views of CYP with SEND remains very important to National Children’s Bureau.

You can read the full report on the NCB website

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NNPCF work SEND Implementation Plan Uncategorized

SEND Mediation Standards consultation

We have been asked to share the following information from the SEND Dispute Resolution Steering Group.

The College of Mediators (COM) and the Civil Mediation Council (CMC) hold a joint register of accredited SEND mediators.

This comes about as a result of standards specific to SEND mediation practice that were drawn up by a panel of providers in 2018. In a changing mediation environment and in the context of governmental change to SEND provision, these standards are now currently being reviewed with a view to ensuring that SEND mediation continues to be delivered to a consistently high standard.

When the standards were originally drawn up the expectation was that they would be applicable to experienced mediators working in other fields, who might extend their practice to SEND disputes.

These new standards will have a wider ranging application, extending to those who are newly trained as mediators and who may, for example, be moving into mediation from a background in SEND and /or education.

The standards will apply to those who wish to apply to join the register. Those SEND mediators who are already on the register will not need to re-apply, but will need to demonstrate the annual CPD and practice requirements going forward.

As part of this review therefore, the standards have been revised and are now being circulated among mediators and other professionals working in the SEND context.

You can read the revised standards below:

Professional_Standards_for_SEND-Mediators_draft_January_2024_for_consultation.pdf (civilmediation.org)

We welcome your views on the standards document generally and in particular we would value your responses to the questions outlined in the following consultation: Consultation re SEND Mediation Standards (smartsurvey.co.uk)

Categories
Consultation

Elective home education consultation

Consultation closed 18 January 2024

This consultation seeks views on revised versions of the non-statutory elective home education (EHE) guidance for local authorities and parents.

The EHE guidance was last updated in 2019 and is due for review. Both sets of guidance are a vital resource for parents and local authorities to help them understand their roles and legal responsibilities around EHE.

The changes made aim to help parents and local authorities better understand what they are required to do to ensure all children receive a suitable education.

NB. this consultation covers all parents who educate their child otherwise than at school, children who are educated other than at school. It is not just EHE.

Elective Home Education guidance review – Department for Education – Citizen Space

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Consultation

Children, young people and the built environment

Parliamentary consultation , closes 02 January 2024

The Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee is looking at how better planning and urban design in England could enhance the health and well-being of children and young people.

It will look at how children and young people can use outside public spaces and move around their neighbourhoods: how they can be active and visibly part of their communities – whether it is their street, housing development, estate, town centre, village, public square or park. And it will look at what role the Government may have in making the built environment work in the best way possible.

Parent carers and forums may wish to respond to this inquiry to ensure the voices of children with special educational needs and disabilities are heard during this inquiry,

Call for Evidence – Committees – UK Parliament