Natspec

On the blog today, Ruth Perry looks at the questions change programme areas should be asking themselves to develop a sound understanding of their current offer, and what more can be done to make sure that 16–25 SEND provision is included in their work.

"Much of the focus of the SEND and AP Improvement Plan is on sorting out issues affecting children aged 5–16 and schools, so there was always a substantial risk that young people and further education would have only a walk-on part in this critical testing phase. That’s why Natspec, along with the Association Of Colleges (AoC) and other FE and skills stakeholders, have been lobbying hard to ensure that the DfE’s guidance for the change programme participants requires them to pay due attention to the needs of 16–25 year olds when planning local (and regional) SEND provision. We’ve proposed that the DfE requires all local areas to have an FE and Skills provider sub-group, the chair of which should be on the SEND and AP partnership board to ensure post-school providers are represented at this top decision-making level."

How can we ensure 16-25 SEND provision is at the heart of local area inclusion planning? - Natspec Ruth Perry looks at the questions change programme areas should be asking themselves to develop a sound understanding of their current offer - and what more can be done to make sure that 16–25 provision for young people with SEND is included in their work.