Department for Education publish SEND and Alternative Provision improvement plan

Today, the Government has published their plan for SEND & Alternative Provision improvement in England: Right Support, Right Place, Right Time.

AEP General Secretary, Dr Cath Lowther said:

“The aspirations of this Improvement Plan are broadly welcome, particularly the emphasis on inclusion and co-production. We are pleased that the Government has recognised the vital role of Educational Psychologists and confirmed that funding will be maintained for training places at current levels. We would would like the Government to go further and offer additional places, to increase the number of EPs being trained and the size of the EP workforce. This is vital so that we can provide more early support for children with SEND and mental health needs.  

We have been pleased to contribute to the Government’s review of SEND and would like to now see a wider review of the education system. The pandemic highlighted that the current system is not fit for purpose, and in particular we know that educational inequalities have increased and SEND children have been particularly affected.   In everything from the design of the curriculum to methods of teaching and assessment and promoting mentally healthy pupils, we would like to see a truly inclusive approach so that all children and young people, including those with SEND will thrive in mainstream education”.