Thursday, June 2, 2016

SEND Help

From the BBC:
"Special needs pupils 'need better support' in schools"

Schools in England are struggling to support the 1.1 million pupils with special needs or disabilities (SEND) in mainstream classrooms, a report says. A survey of 1,100 school leaders found delays to assessments, insufficient budgets and cuts to local authorities were hampering the ability to cope. The study by The Key, which provides leadership and management support to schools, calls for increased funding. The government says it has increased funding for those with "high needs".  Department for Education (DfE) statistics published last year showed there were more than 1.3 million children in England - 15% of pupils - identified as having special educational needs or disabilities.
Of these, 1.1 million are in mainstream schools rather than special schools.
The research by The Key suggested:
  • 82% of mainstream schools in England do not have sufficient funding and budget to adequately provide for pupils with SEND
  • 89% of school leaders believe cuts to local authority services have had a detrimental impact on the support their school receives for pupils with SEND
  • Three-quarters of schools have pupils who have been waiting longer than expected for assessment of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan
  • 88% of school leaders think initial teacher training does not adequately prepare teachers to support pupils with SEND
The Key survey suggests primary schools are under the most strain when it comes to providing for pupils with SEND.  Eight in 10 primary school leaders said their budget was insufficient, while seven in 10 at secondary school level raised concerns about funding.Nine in 10 at primary level have had the support they receive for SEND provision affected by cuts to their local authority, while this was the case for eight in 10 secondary leaders.Delays in assessment of SEND and long waits for EHCPs also appear to be more common for children of primary school age.  Eight in 10 primary schools have pupils who have been waiting longer than expected, while the figure is just over six in 10 at secondary schools. Fergal Roche, chief executive of The Key, said: "A year on from major reforms to the national system for SEND provision, these findings represent an important wake-up call from school leaders.  "Schools need adequate funding and a holistic, well co-ordinated and resourced system of support behind them to provide effectively for children with SEND."


^ It is all well and good to know what the problems are and another altogether to actually fix them. I hope they are fixed and soon since it is the students that are suffering. ^


http://www.bbc.com/news/education-36425290

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