Select Committee today with Ed Timpson

[Iceflower]

This is happening now, but he has categorically stated that the new legislation is going to ADD to the existing rights. For example, parents will still have the right to request an assessment, but addition, GPs, HVs etc will also have the right in future.

Sounds like good news. It's riveting and I'm probably a saddo sitting here watching it!

[Iceflower]

Oh oh, Ed is weaseling over minimum timescales for assessment to be completed. He would not commit to minimum timescales which prob means there won't be any

[alison222]

Weasling out of committing to keeping funding for SA and SA+

[alison222]

It seems that the plans won't cover higher education

[alison222]

He has said that there will be a duty on the LEA to deliver what is in the plan

[alison222]

Wants to change the code of practice, wants it to be a "living organic document" bringing together the SEN and disbilites codes, but still saying review and reformed more simply - ie still not going through Parliament and will not be consultation and that he knows that the current SENCOP has a different status - so he is saying it won't have the effect of law.
dodging questions about timeframes.
Saying it will be more simple.
There will be no duty on LEAs to actually provide what is in their local offer
No minimum standards - question re postcode lottery so is saying offer will differ around the country and there should be local accountability - so it seems that services will differ around the country

[Iceflower]

Heehee, fellow saddo!

I'm going to have to watch a recording as two friends turned up unexpectedly and I missed lots of the session!

[alison222]

I only saw the last 20 mins - I will have to watch the beginning.