News

Keep up to date with all of the latest news, headlines and features from across the SEND sector.

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News listing

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Changes to the guidance for full opening for special schools and other specialist settings

The Government has updated guidance for the full opening of special schools and other specialist settings following closure during COVID-19 pandemic.

Updated ‘Keeping children safe in education’ statutory guidance is released

The Department of Education has published statutory guidance on safeguarding in schools, colleges and other providers.

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Letter from Minister Ford to children and young people with SEND, their families and carers, and those who work to support them

This letter provides advice and guidance on several issues, including behaviour, risk assessments, face coverings, specialist and visiting practitioners, mental health and wellbeing, aerosol generating procedures and hospital schools...

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Parents of children with SEND want more reassurance about sending them back to school

The organisation Parentkind (formerly PTA UK) has conducted research into how parents of children with SEND feel about them going back to school in the new school year.

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Changes to EHC needs assessments will expire on 25th September

The Regulations made by DfE to provide additional flexibility over the statutory timescales for EHC needs assessments and plan processes will expire as planned on 25th September 2020. Normal statutory timescales will apply from that date.

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Third year of the National SENCO Workload Survey – share your views

This year, it is more important than ever to develop our understanding of SENCOs’ workload, both since the COVID lockdown and during the transition back to school for all pupils, and the survey has a particular focus on this.

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New inquiry seeks to understand and improve support for dyspraxic people in the UK

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Dyspraxia has today (03.08.20) launched an inquiry into the experiences of people with dyspraxia in a bid to ensure that all those with the condition are better supported in society.

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Exclusions data is released

The DfE has published exclusions data for the academic year 2018-19. These indicate that the rate of permanent exclusions remains stable at 0.10 (i.e. 10 pupils per 1000) with a decrease in the numbers to 7,894...

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Modified duties on LAs around EHC plan provision expires today

The DfE have today published a minor update to their document ‘Changes to the law on education, health and care needs assessments and plans due to coronavirus.

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National Network of Special Schools launches for School Business Professionals

NNoSS is an inclusive network which will provide SBPs (School Business Professionals) with the tools to self-improve, support colleagues and be supported in their roles.

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The government responds to the SEND report of 2019

In October 2019, the Education Committee published its First Report of Session 2019, ‘Special Educational Needs and Disabilities’; the government has now released its response to this...

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nasen announces three senior appointments

nasen (National Association for Special Educational Needs) is pleased to announce the appointment of two board directors and one executive director.

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The national funding formula for schools and high needs 2021-22 is published

The government is increasing core school funding again for 2021-22, and states that this includes ‘significant additional funding for children with special educational needs and disabilities’.

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Comprehensive Spending Review: submit your representation

The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has launched the 2020 Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR), which will be published in the autumn.

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A letter from Minister Ford thanking Special School head teachers

Letter to Headteachers of Special Schools from Vicky Ford MP (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families).

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New CPDL Webinar initiative for SENCOs and teaching staff launched

nasen's new SEND CPDL Annual Webinar Pass will provide education professionals with access to more than 15 live high-quality CPDL webinars per academic year.

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Thousands of places created in new special free schools

Over 3,000 extra school places at 37 new free schools are to be created across the country for pupils with the most complex needs, to open from September 2022.

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The Engagement Model will become statutory from September 2021 rather than 2020

Following the Rochford Review, it was decided that the P scales are to be replaced for end of key stage statutory assessment for pupils working below the standard of National Curriculum assessments.

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INVITATION TO TENDER (ITT) - Deployment of specialists in mainstream settings

INVITATION TO TENDER (ITT) to produce a set of resources to inform SENCos and mainstream school teachers and leaders about options for the commissioning and deployment of education psychologists (EPs) and speech and language therapists (SaLTs)...

nasen highlights the need to improve early identification of SEND and prevent children ‘slipping through the net’

nasen, a charity that supports and champions those working with, and for, children and young people with SEND and learning differences, has launched a new report to help improve early identification of, and support for SEN in the early years.