Consultation on new Special Educational Needs strategy

Cabinet members are being asked to approve a public consultation on proposed revisions to special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision in Darlington.

The proposals aim to promote inclusion and improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

Cabinet will discuss both proposals at a meeting on Tuesday 9 October, with a six-week public consultation set to follow.

The proposals outline six key priorities to ensure children and young people with SEND achieve the best possible outcomes.

These are:

• Early identification of need – ensuring that the right children are in the right placement with the right support.
• Building capacity in mainstream settings to enable children to be educated locally.
• Ensuring children and young people have an effective preparation for adulthood and access to work and leisure opportunities.
• Increasing achievement and improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
• Effective collaboration, ensuring the active involvement of SEND children and their families.
• Achieving ‘best value’ from all services.

The draft strategy is aimed at making the system as fair and equitable as possible, with funding closely linked to the needs of individuals.

Councillor Cyndi Hughes, Cabinet member for Children and Young People, said: “I believe these changes will help us continue to give children and young people with SEND the best support and the greatest chance of success.

“SEND needs and funding are challenges that councils across the country are wrestling with. These proposals will give parents more of a say in the support their child receives.

“We will be consulting widely with families, schools and other professionals, in a range of ways - there will be the chance to comment online and attend one of a number of consultation events throughout the borough.”

If agreed by Cabinet, the consultation will run from 10 October to 21 November before being considered again by Cabinet in February 2019.