Hub Strands

increasing parental confidence in the SEN system

Increasing the confidence of parents in the operation of the SEN system is a key national priority. The Lamb Inquiry has suggested that not all LAs are meeting their statutory requirements in full. A MENCAP report in November 2008 highlighted the low degree of compliance by schools in fulfilling their duty to have a Disability Equality Scheme in place.

The National Strategies SEN/ LDD Adviser team is developing a range of materials to increase local authority self-evaluation of their compliance with the framework, and also documentation about school DES compliance. The SEN hub will take on a role of support to LAs ensuring that regional good practice is shared.

Materials to reinforce messages about Disability Equality Schemes for schools have just been published, and the web links are below.

The first item is a A5 pamphlet, being circulated as an insert in next edition of Teacher magazine. The second is a self-evaluation resource for schools. Local Authorities may wish to highlight these with schools and with relevant colleagues across Children’s Services.

New Information
Brian Lamb had a brief article published in the latest BPS assessment & development matters journal, Decemeber 09. He quotes research commissioned by DSCF and undertaken by National Centre for Social Research.

Below is a link to the research summary. http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/DCSF-RB117.pdf

Download here the dcsf action plan, its response to the Lamb inquiry.