MP welcomes Special Educational Needs consultation

23rd March 2011
MP welcomes consultation for young people with Special Educational Needs

Local MP, Gordon Henderson has welcomed the introduction of a Government Green Paper on provisions for children and young people with Special Educational Needs

MP’s, Michael Gove and Sarah Teather, launched the Green Paper with the ambition of radically reforming the system to deliver better life opportunities and outcomes for young people who are disabled or who have been identified as having Special Educational Needs.

The Green Paper covers five areas:
• Early identification and support
• Giving parents more control
• Learning and achieving
• Preparing for adulthood
• Services working together for families

The launch of the Green Paper marks the start of a four month consultation and a period of testing proposals in local areas from September 2011.

Michael Gove, Minister for Education, said,

“Too often the system lets children down. Successive reports, such as the 2006 report of the Education Select Committee and Brian Lamb’s report in 2009, have described the system where parents feel they have to battle for the support they need, and where bureaucracy and frustration face them at every step.

“According to the Council for Disabled Children, on average a disabled child experiences 32 assessments as they grow up. This is not acceptable.”

Mr Henderson said,

“I encourage any of my constituents in Sittingbourne and Sheppey who are parents, teachers, carers or perhaps who just have an interest in Special Educational Needs to take part in this important consultation.

“Young people who are disabled or have Special Educational Needs wish to lead independent lives and achieve their ambitions and this is an opportunity to make sure the right support is made available to them.”

To take part in the consultation, please write to: [email protected]