Search Mobile

collapse

already registered?

Please sign in with your existing account details.

Email address

Password

need to register?

Register to access exclusive content, sign up to receive our updates and personalise your experience on brownejacobson.com.

Privacy statement - Terms and conditions

Forgotten your password?

collapseSign

Browne Jacobson home

Home

Insights

Blogs

Special Educational Needs – the shake-up (and spin) begins

special educational needs – the shake-up (and spin) begins

15 May 2012

The biggest change to the SEN framework is being launched today with much fanfare being given to a new right for parents to control the funding for their child’s education and bring an end to the parental fight for appropriate provision for their children from the local authority. Under the new arrangements, the role of the local authority would be to assess the additional needs that the child has and it will be for parents to ensure that those needs are catered for by purchasing the required services.

Will this be any better than the current system? The current system is already seen to favour those parents who are better placed to argue for improved provision or have the funds to pay for expert reports to reinforce their arguments. It is unclear whether personal budgets will change this position and whether those who do not take the budget will receive a second rate service. If that is to be the case, then the stated aim of the government to eliminate inequalities in education would be seen to be failing.

related opinions

Security in schools – new guidance from the Department for Education

Following a consultation last year on a draft form, the Department for Education (DfE) has now published extensive guidance for schools and colleges in relation to security.

View blog

General election 2019 - implications for schools

Parliament has announced that a general election will take place in the UK on Thursday 12 December 2019. Schools are popular places for polling stations and whilst some larger schools are able to continue to operate on election day, many smaller schools are forced to close.

View blog

Admission policies may confuse disadvantaged families

In the run up to the deadline for completing the application form for secondary admissions for September 2020 entry, the Good Schools Guide has reported that some admission policies for state funded schools may confuse parents who are less affluent, work at weekends or have English as an additional language.

View blog