Today our blog looks at a report on children’s services and World Teachers’ Day.
SEND Services
Today, Friday 4 October, the local government ombudsman published a report on the quality of services for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The coverage says that the ombudsman has ruled in favour of nearly 90% of appeals against care decisions. The report itself notes that this was for only a small number of cases.
This has been covered by BBC, the Guardian, the Independent, the Times and the Sun.
A Department for Education spokesperson said:
As the Ombudsman admits, this report is based on a very small sample size – covering less than 0.3% of all cases in 2018.
Over 48,000 children were issued with new Education and Health Care Plans in the last year, and the majority of these were completed within 20 weeks. During the assessment process children continue to attend their school and receive additional support, until their tailored support package is put into place.
We’ve also announced an extra £700 million for pupils with complex needs in 2020/21 – an 11% increase on this year.
However, we know the system is not working well enough for every family, and have launched a review to introduce further improvements.
World Teachers’ Day
On Saturday 5 October, the department will be marking UNESCO’s World Teachers’ Day, which this year will be celebrated with a focus on the theme of young teachers.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said:
Teachers here in England, and around the world, have a truly life-changing impact on their students, acting as inspirational educators, role-models and mentors.
I will always have fond memories of the teachers who guided and encouraged me through my school life, and today I want to celebrate the same role that all teachers have in young people’s lives.
And I want all those at the front of our classrooms, inspiring our young people, to feel valued in the profession and to use today’s celebration to mark the variety of reasons they are proud to teach.
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