In 2014, the Children and Families Act was passed. It had three parts to it: Fostering and Adoption, Family Law and SEN and Disability.
The SEN and Disability part is supported by the new SEND Code of Practice, which can be found here.
This Code tells everybody involved in supporting children and young people with SEND, what the law says they have to do. It sets out clearly what local authorities and educational institutions should and must do. Should means they have to follow this guidance unless they have good reasons not to.
The aims of the reforms were to ensure that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities achieve well in their early years, at school and in college; find employment; lead happy and fulfilled lives and have choices and control over their support.
The reforms will implement a new approach which seeks to join up help across education, health and care, from birth to 25. Help will be offered at the earliest possible point, which children and young people being fully involved in decisions about their support. This will help lead to better outcomes and more efficient ways of working.
The vision is for children with SEN and Disabilities is the same as for all children and young people; that they achieve well and lead happy and fulfilled lives.
Useful Documents
Support and aspiration: Implementing the SEN and Disability Reforms
SEND Reforms – Letter for Parents
0-25 SEND Newsletter – October 2015
The Children and Families Act “Support And Aspiration”
Accessibility Strategy
Equality Act
The Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014
SEND Factsheets
Changes to Special Educational Needs and Disability Support – easy read guide for children and young people
Together for Short Lives – A Family Guide to the SEND System in England
Introduction to the Children and Families Act 2014
The Local Offer Explained
PfA Factsheet: The Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Supported Decision Making
Participation at CDC (Council for Disabled Children)
Help in the Early Years if your Child has Additional Needs