1. SEN and Disability Reform Partner Supplier briefing event December 2012

2. Agenda Policy context Overview of the invitation to tender Timescales Q&A

3. Green Paper 2011: Support and Aspiration Our vision is of a system in which: Children’s special educational needs are picked up early and support is routinely put in place quickly; Staff have the knowledge, understanding and skills to provide the right support for children and young people who have SEN or are disabled wherever they are; Parents know what they can reasonably expect their local school, local college, local authority and local services to provide, without them having to fight for it; For more complex needs, an integrated assessment and a single Education, Health and Care Plan from birth to 25; and There is greater control for parents over the services they and their family use. Aspirations for children and young people is raised through an increased focus on life outcomes

4. Draft legislation - key highlights New requirement for local authorities, health and care services to commission services jointly, to ensure that the needs of disabled children and young people and those with SEN are met. LAs to publish a clear, transparent ‘local offer’ of services, so parents and young people can understand what is available. More streamlined assessment process, which integrates education, health and care services, and involves children and young people and their families. New 0-25 Education, Health and Care Plan, replacing the current system of Statements and Learning Difficulty Assessments, which reflects the child or young person’s aspirations for the future, as well as their current needs. Option of a personal budget for families and young people with a Plan, extending choice and control over their support. New statutory protections for young people aged 16-25 in FE and a stronger focus on preparing for adulthood. Academies, Free Schools, Further Education and Sixth Form colleges to have the same SEN duties as maintained schools.

5. Pathfinder evaluation - early findings Good progress has been made in setting up partnerships and engaging families A range of approaches to the single assessment process, from bringing together the results of specialist, separate assessments to a single assessment event. The greatest focus so far has been on a single planning process. More family and young person centred processes are in place, using keyworking to improve communications The capacity of health, education and VCS to engage remains a concern in some areas A challenge remains about how to scale up approaches to a whole area in a sustainable way e.g. key working

6. But it’s not just about the legislation….. Draft clauses are the high level architecture – there will be more detail in Regulations and the new Code of Practice. There are wider changes happening in the ways that professionals work with children, young people and Families, for example: Change in local practice Pathfinders Delivery Partners Supported Internships Achievement for All Improvements in professional development SENCO training Initial Teacher Training CPD & scholarships VCS Wider reforms Health and Social Care Early identification through 2 year old progress check; investment in health visitors School funding reforms

7. Scope of the reform partner The reform partner will work with a range of stakeholders including VCSE organisations, parents, young people and professionals and with the DfE to: support the development and implementation of SEN and disability reforms; help build the capacity of the SEN and disability VCSE sector to respond to changing policy and commissioning landscapes; provide leadership in the development and implementation of SEN and disability reforms. The successful supplier will need to demonstrate: knowledge and expertise in relation to both SEN and disability policy and practice, across all relevant sectors; the ability to translate such knowledge into practical advice for practioners and service users (including parents, children and young people, and carers); that they have or are able to achieve buy-in and confidence from across the SEN and disability sector, particularly from the VCSE and parents and carers and young people; how they have worked with and established the confidence of Government, both at national and local levels.

8. 8 Core activity We are looking for innovative and creative proposals and envisage that the successful supplier will deliver the following core activity: Communicate information and evidence relating to the reforms: Advise Government on SEN and disability policy and practice Provide leadership to develop and implement reforms: Disseminate effective practices from local areas and VCS organisations Bring together work of VCS organisations funded by DfE Gather evidence on work works and key workforce challenges and issues Help VCS organisations plan and prepare for current and future commissioning requirements Support VCS capacity building Make links to and complement work of DfE VCSE Strategic Partner & other SEN and disability contract and grant holders (including Mott MacDonald)

9. Timescales ActionDate Contract finder notice published7 December 2012 Supplier information meeting18 December 2012 Deadline for any clarification questions to the Department19 December 2012 Closing date for receipt of tenders4 January 2013 Tenderers that have not passed part 1 notifiedby 14 January 2013 Notification of Part 2 outcome14 January 2013 Clarification meetings (if necessary) in January with short listed organisations23 January London Announcement of successful bidderEarly February 2013 Commencement of contract1 April 2013

10. 10 Questions