Best Practice

SEND reform – what has been achieved?

Government policy
The SEND Code of Practice is full of high hopes and good intentions. Almost a year on from its publication, are these now translating into the SEND provision that had been anticipated? We look at the unfolding of SEND reform in our schools

Reference to "partnership", "collaboration", and "joined-up services" are sprinkled throughout the 292 pages of the SEND Code of Practice. Parents and carers are to be seen as central to the reforms and professionals must work in partnership with them. Agencies must combine in a seamless fashion to focus on the needs of the child.

Most people would very readily agree with the spirit of this, but now, almost one year on, has this spirit been embodied in school and local authority practice?

The overall picture seems to be mixed. Another feature of the SEND Code of Practice is the central place that local authorities have in the reform. In spite of the fact that local authority services have dwindled and money has been diverted from them, local authorities have still been given the responsibility of putting the reforms into place.

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