SEND
Redefining what good looks like
Impower’s annual top 10 list is a celebration of strong council performance and, as Jon Ainger explains, many local authorities have stepped up to the challenge.
EXCLUSIVE: England's top 10 councils revealed
Calderdale MBC and Oxfordshire CC have clambered their way into consultancy Impower’s list of England’s most productive councils this year, The MJ can reveal.
Working with young people across Medway to reduce the number of NEET
Medway Council has achieved significant falls in the number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET). Ian Sutherland explains how this has been achieved.
Councils ‘set up to fail’ on SEND
A committee of MPs has acknowledged the Government’s proposal for a significant increase in high needs block funding next year - but say it will make little difference without ‘a systemic cultural shift’. Ann McGauran reports.
‘A paradigm shift is what is required’
The unintended consequences of the 2014 SEND reforms are starting to impact on the viability of many councils, according to Ian Thomas. He says Kingston upon Thames RLBC and its partners are focusing on reducing demand through earlier intervention.
Hold SEND balances centrally or provide 'sufficient funding'
The special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) crisis should be tackled by providing ‘sufficient funding’ or by holding balances centrally instead of on council balance sheets, a chief executive has told The MJ.
It’s not clicking for Surrey
It’s been a bad few weeks at the office for Surrey CC’s special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) team.
MPs call for end to 'one-off' SEND inspections
Joint ‘one-off’ Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Ofsted inspections of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) services should not continue, MPs have concluded.
We need the power
The Queen's Speech made it clear that Government has been listening to the LGA on some key issues, says James Jamieson - 'but we now need a long-term settlement that gives local government the powers, money and certainty to transform their areas'.
London trails East Midlands and South West in schools funding increases
The East Midlands and South West have emerged as the biggest winners from education budgets announced this week.
Ombudsman censures Bexley over response to complaint
Bexley LBC has come under heavy criticism from the Local Government Ombudsman after failing to make agreed improvements to school transport applications for disabled children.
High Court rejects call for judicial review on SEND spending
The High Court has dismissed a legal challenge from families seeking a judicial review to the Government’s funding of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Nine in 10 complaints about SEND provision upheld by Ombudsman
The Ombudsman is receiving more complaints about education, health and care plans (EHCP) than ever before – and the vast majority are being upheld.
London Boroughs adept at SEND, but with some disparity
London’s councils are generally adept at managing pupils with special educational needs (SEND), but there is significant disparity between the performance of some schools, a study has concluded.
The true value of showing your support
Cllr Izzi Seccombe outlines the benefits of a new recruitment and development scheme to help those in Warwickshire with special educational needs and disabilities gain entry to the workforce.
A flexible plan for every sick child
North Yorkshire CC is proposing to adopt a virtual school approach and more options for learning for those who can’t attend school because of medical needs. Jane le Sage explains the thinking behind the strategy.
Repairing children’s services is an investment worth making
Spending more on services to stop the rising costs of taking children into care must be worth the investment, says Heather Jameson.
Identify children before crisis point
Anne Longfield says that while an extra £1bn for adult and children's services has to be welcome, it will do no more than plug some gaps and leave the systemic problem unaddressed.
Review for SEND support
The Government has announced a major review into the support offered to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
What does the Spending Round mean for public health?
A spending round settlement for public health just slightly above inflation is welcome, but we need ‘bigger and braver thinking’ and a multi-year package, says Dr Jeanelle de Gruchy.