On 22nd January, I spoke in a debate in Parliament on the SEND crisis- more specifically, on government support for Education and Health Care Plans (EHCPs).
For the best part of a decade now, I have been warning that, despite there being a SEND crisis right across the country, the failures have been particularly stark here in our county on the watch of Suffolk County Council.
One of my proudest achievements in politics so far is, as a county councillor, helping to deliver more than 800 specialist places. And, I am so relieved that we now have a government taking these concerns seriously. The £1 billion already pledged for SEND provision by the new government is most welcome.
But, there still remains work to be done to foster a culture of culture and accountability in the SEND system. I raised my concerns particularly with the behind-closed-doors nature of EHCP tribunals and of the broader ombudsman process, which often disadvantages the families who need this support the most.
In response to my speech, The Minister for School Standards, Catherine McKinnell, said she had “heard” concerns about the tribunal process, as well as stating that the Government was “getting on with the job” of reforming SEND services and improving accountability.
Comments