Changes in SEND: Too Much? Too Little? Too Late?

It's a hot topic isn't it? I know a lot of parents who read these brain burps of mine will be immediately thinking about how hard it was to get an EHCP in place; the hoops we jump through, the glacial pace of diagnostics and, (oh my word) Local Authorities.

And now, you have one in place and the rules are changing. Reading the proposals it seems that an EHCP is no longer a permanent protocol but requires reviewing. I mean that makes sense to me, but I can see why it will enrage many people.

The way I see it, an EHCP would be more responsive than it is at the moment. That's not possible because the number in place has doubled and the resources available to implement and maintain them, has not.

Introducing more 'soft touch' responses to support students who require less specialist care seems to make sense to me. I could be wrong but this feels like a good move to me. It feels like an approach that could alleviate some of the strain from an stretched and underfunded area of education. It could mean that those who really need help can access it much quicker with those who just require some extra scaffolding being moved out of the holding circle and given that guidance much quicker too.

If it works.

I'm afraid I'm not filled with confidence by this government. Fingers crossed, eh?

I welcome feedback as always, though I suspect I may regret that invitation on such a contentious subject!

There's a great piece on BBC News by Hazel Shearing which can find here.