Lancashire unveils vision for the future of SEND
Lancashire's proposal for the future of SEND is to go before the government.
The county's SEND reform plan, which sets out how the council and its partners propose to improve support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, will be considered by cabinet on 4 June.
Aimed at making mainstream education more inclusive, the proposal prioritises early intervention, consistent support and closer working between education, health and care services.
If approved by ministers, the ambitious plan could see a major expansion of specialist support in mainstream schools as well as inclusion bases and SEND Units to enable more children to be supported closer to home.
Other major aspects include curriculum reform and a right for children to access extracurricular activities.
The Lancashire SEND reform plan has been shaped by partners including the council, schools, colleges, early years providers, health partners and the Lancashire Parent Carer Forum, while children and young people themselves have also had their say.
It has come about after the Department for Education (DfE) asked all local authorities to submit a SEND reform plan by 19 June this year.
If the Lancashire plan gets the green light in Westminster, the DfE has pledged to plug most of the county's high needs funding gap.
This is because the DfE, if in agreement with Lancashire's SEND reform plan, has promised vital funding, in the form of a new high needs stability grant, which will amount to 90 per cent of Lancashire's high needs block deficit.
A range of organisations would share delivery, including the county council, the Integrated Care Board (ICB) schools and the Parent Carer Forum, with the county council taking the lead.
County Councillor Matthew Salter, cabinet member for Education and Skills, said:
"Our Lancashire SEND reform plan is aimed at securing the best education and opportunities for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, ensuring financial sustainability in our services, and delivering timely and effective access to support.
"This plan enables Lancashire to move rapidly towards a model of more inclusive mainstream practice and early intervention and prevention, understanding and meeting the needs of all Lancashire children."