Changes to SEN provision following new Code of Practice Sept.2014 St. Andrews CE Primary 2014

Case for Change Pupils with SEN are more likely to have higher levels of school absence. Pupils with SEN are more likely to be excluded from school. Young people with SEN are more than twice as likely not to be in education, employment or training (NEET).

The Old System to the New Vision OldNew Deficit focusedPerson Centred Provision LedOutcomes focused Back office decisions & bureaucratic systems Joint planning & decision making with families Disjointed supportIntegrated support

The Code of Practice (2014) covers the 0-25 age range. Clearer focus on the participation of children and young people (CYP) and parents in decision-making. Stronger focus on high aspirations and on improving outcomes for CYP. Greater focus on support that enables those with SEN to succeed in education & make a successful transition to adulthood.

Guidance on the joint planning and commissioning of services to ensure close co- operation between education, health services and social care.

‘Local Offer’ There is guidance on publishing a ‘Local Offer’ of support for CYP with SEN and disabilities. Local authorities must set out in one place- the ‘local offer’. Disagreement resolution services will be available to parents and young people.

New guidance for schools on taking a graduated approach to identifying and supporting pupils and students with SEND (to replace School Action and School Action Plus). 4 areas of special educational needs are: Communication and interaction Cognition and learning Social, emotional and mental health difficulties Sensory and/or physical

EHC plan Children with more complex needs have a coordinated assessment which may include the new 0-25 Education, Health and Care Plan (EHC plan) which will replace statements. Details of application published on the LA and school ‘Local Offer. LA will decide whether an assessment is necessary. Whole process takes no more than 20 weeks. 15 day period after the plan is written for parents to agree or disagree. Parents and CYP have the right to request a particular school in the EHC plan. Local authority must consult the governing body & Head Teacher and consider their comments carefully before deciding whether to name them on the plan. Plans reviewed annually.

Quality First Teaching Quality of teaching for pupils with SEND and the progress made by pupils, should be a core part of the school’s performance management arrangements and its approach to professional development for all teaching and support staff.

Personal Budgets Parents can request a personal budget. An amount of money identified by the LA to deliver all or some of the provision set out in an EHC plan. Information about this published in LA local offer. Parents and young people can ask LA to prepare personal budget as part of their EHCP. Budgets should be holistic i.e: to meet educational, social and health needs.

SEND funding Mainstream schools are provided with resources to use for supporting those with additional needs, including children with SEN and disabilities,the notional SEN budget. This is not ring-fenced and schools must provide, high quality appropriate support from the whole budget. Schools are not expected to meet the costs of the more expensive support from their core funding. They are expected to provide additional support which costs up to a nationally prescribed threshold per pupil/student per year. The LA should provide additional top-up funding where the cost of the special educational provision exceeds the nationally prescribed threshold (Higher Needs Funding).