Today our blog looks at how we are supporting children with complex needs, as well as the start of Volunteer’s Week and a positive piece on state education standards.
SEND Provision
Today, Monday 3 June, the Disabled Children’s Partnership issued a press release on support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Their press release says that only 4% of parents with disabled children say they receive the right support from the care system. This was covered by the Sun and Sky News.
We are investing £6.3 billion into the high needs budget this year – an increase of over £1 billion since 2013, to support children with SEND.
We are also implementing major reforms in high needs, focussing efforts on the impact of learning difficulties on education and how we can remove barriers to learning and participation.
A Government spokesperson said:
Parents and children with disabilities deserve the best support we can provide and the government has made £410 million available to local authorities this year specifically for adult and children social care, with £46.4 billion available this year for local services, including children’s services.
Children and young people with the most complex needs are receiving personalised support and care through the introduction of Education, Health and Care Plans and we are funding parent carer forums to work with councils to ensure services meet the needs of children with special educational needs or disabilities.
The NHS Long Term Plan has a clear focus on improving the health of children and young people with an emphasis on improving outcomes around mental health, learning disabilities, autism and cancer.
Volunteer’s Week
Today marks the start of Volunteer’s Week – an opportunity to celebrate the work of volunteers across the UK and encourage everyone to get involved in work for their communities.
The Education Secretary Damian Hinds did an interview with the Sunday Times in order to mark the week and talk about the importance of volunteer work. The National Citizen’s Service has also issued a press notice based on new research which shows that two thirds of parents agree that it would be beneficial for their teenage children to get involved in some volunteer work over the summer break.
Education Secretary Damian Hinds said:
Volunteers make a huge difference to the lives of thousands of people up and down the country and I want more young people to contribute to their communities – an experience that also helps build character and gives them the chance to see a bigger picture.
It’s great to see organisations like the NCS provide programmes that offer young people these opportunities to try something new.
Education and preparation for adult life are about much more than qualifications. That’s why we talk about 5 foundations for building character, a broad range of activities, including volunteering and membership, to stretch and help young people think, develop and grow.
Prep Schools
On Saturday 1 June, the Times reported on the declining attendance of prep schools, saying that wealthy parents are increasingly turning to state education.
The piece highlighted that pupils and teachers have responded well to changes to the primary curriculum in 2014, with 87% of our country’s primary schools now judged Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Our own statistics show that this is up from 68% in 2010.
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