Webchat with Vicky Ford, Minister for Children, Wednesday 26 August at 11am

[BojanaMumsnet]

Hello

We're pleased to announce a webchat about COVID-19 and schools, colleges, nurseries and childminders with Vicky Ford, Conservative MP for Chelmsford and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families, at 11am on Wednesday 26 August.

The government is planning for all pupils to return to school full-time from the beginning of the autumn term. Vicky will be coming along to give us the government’s response to your concerns and questions.

Vicky was elected MP for Chelmsford in 2017, and has been Minister for Children since February 2020. Before joining Parliament she was an MEP for the East of England constituency in the European Parliament. In a previous life she worked in finance.

Please join us here on Wednesday at 11am. If you can’t join us on the day, please post up your question in advance.

As always, please remember our webchat guidelines - one question per user, follow-ups only if there’s time and most questions have been answered, and please keep it civil. Also if one topic is dominating a thread, mods might request that people don't continue to post what's effectively the same question or point. (We may suspend the accounts of anyone who continues after we've posted to ask people to stop, so please take note.) Rest assured we will ALWAYS let the guest know that it's an area of concern to multiple users and will encourage them to engage with those questions.

Many thanks,
MNHQ

[RowanMumsnet]

Thank you very much to Vicky for coming on at what must be a busy time, and of course thanks to MNers for your thoughtful questions as ever. We're going to close this thread now - keep your eyes peeled for more webchats coming your way.

Thanks
MNHQ

[herecomesthsun]

Thank you for your reply and your time. I have no doubt that you have a very difficult job at a very challenging time, and I wish you all the very best with it.

[VickyFordMP]

Thank you so much for all your questions – time has now run out, but before I go, I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been supporting our children and young people during such a challenging time, especially parents and carers. I know it is far from easy.
I would also like to say a thank you to teachers, school staff, foster carers, early years staff and social workers and everyone who is working to support children and young people. We are all so grateful for your hard work and commitment.
Thank you all!

[VickyFordMP]

@herecomesthsun

This is about temporary homeschooling for those who have been shielding.

In the scenario with care homes, a group of people who were vulnerable (the elderly residents) came into close contact with people at higher risk of covid 19 (other residents recently discharged from hospital). The vulnerable people exposed to this virus became ill and died in large numbers.

We are heading now for a similar situation in which school students are all to go back together in one big crowd with limited safety measures and no special provision planned by the government to protect extremely clinically vulnerable pupils, teachers and students’ families, who have all been shielding.

Just one teenager with an infection, who perhaps has had a very different social summer, could start the spread of covid 19 in a secondary school. Will there be a further outcry about the lack of foresight, protection and provision for children who have been shielding?

As winter draws in, we have the prospect of very sad situations involving children from shielding families who have been infected in school, and parents of families who have been shielding are currently torn as to what to do for the best.

I would ask that temporary homeschooling is allowed as it was in Denmark, especially for families who have been shielding, without fines or loss of a school place.

The very best place for children to be is in the classroom, which is why we have set out our plans for all young people to return to education full-time from September. It is so important for the mental health and well being too.

Almost 1.6 million pupils were back at schools and colleges in the summer term. The vast majority of children who have already returned to school have said how beneficial this is has been for them.

Shielding advice for all adults and children was paused on 1 August. This means that even the small number of pupils who will remain on the shielded patient list can also return to school, as can those who have family members who have been shielding.

There are always some children who are at an increased risk from infections. Some pupils no longer required to shield but who generally remain under the care of a specialist health professional may need to discuss their own individual care with their health professional such as their paediatrician or GP before returning to school (usually at their next planned clinical appointment). So if you have particular concerns about your child then please do discuss this with your own expert medical team.

The risks of Covid to children are extremely low, and schools are working extremely hard to put in place protective measures to make sure that they minimise the risk further.

[Decentsalnotime]

Will private schools be required to follow state schools? Ie if there are closures

[JLC00]

Thanks for highlighting my question and supporting it. Back to school drive concerns me as parts of the guidance just don't make sense,are contradictory and show little regard for shielders who are still unwell.

I too hope the minister answers my question and realises almost all of us want the same objective.

[VickyFordMP]

@thanksamillion

Can you explain how you'll ensure that Local Authorities pass on the 'block booking' that you promised for early years settings? Many are saying that they can't afford it and settings are starting to shed experienced, qualified staff left, right and centre. As most settings weren't able to claim furlough funding (a whole other issue) there's also no additional incentive to keep them on.

The Early Years experience is crucial to every child's development and getting them the best start in life. I would like to thank all those who work in Early Years, supporting our youngest children.

The government has provided significant financial and business support for nurseries and pre-schools: we’ve continued funding as normal for the free early years entitlements for two to four-year-olds, we’re ‘block-buying’ childcare places for the rest of this year at the level we would have funded before coronavirus – regardless of how many children are attending. LAs are responsible for making sure that there are enough childcare places locally and they, like the government, want to make sure that there is childcare available. We have been really clear that LAs should pass on their early years funding to nurseries and childminders whether children attend or not, unless the setting is closed for reasons other than public health.

Nurseries and pre-schools can claim for various other forms of support, including a business rates holiday for one year (which means non-local authority childcare providers will pay no business rates in 2020-21), a £10K grant for businesses too small to pay business rates, business loans and the Coronavirus Job Retention and Self Employment Income Support Schemes for the portion of their income that is not funded by the government.

[greengreengrass14]

I know we are not allowed two questions Vicky but I just wanted to say that for a first timer at video chat you are doing really well! thanks

[VickyFordMP]

@whysohungryagain

Hello Vicky, thanks for doing this webchat.

I think we've all learned that managing COVID is about tradeoffs. At the moment Gavin Williamson is saying that schools will be a top priority, which is a relief, but what is the plan if the R rate increases to dangerous levels?

Presumably there will have to be difficult decisions taken about closing other sectors of the economy or cracking down on social gatherings so that schools can stay open.

Does the government already know what it's prepared to do to keep schools open, in concrete terms? And if so can you share that with the public?

We all know that there is bound to be some uncertainty in local areas around local spikes and outbreaks and what this means for children and schools. However, where this is the case, we have detailed guidance, we are already supporting those areas where there have been local spikes and stand ready to put in support for affected schools in other local areas if necessary. Keeping schools open IS the priority.

In most cases, Public Health England indicates schools do not appear to be a primary driver of infections in the community and we are clear that the risk of transmission is low if schools promote good hygiene practices such as regular handwashing and cleaning measures, and follow other government guidance such as keeping children in consistent groups to minimise mixing.

As the UK’s Chief Medical Officers have made clear, a growing evidence base indicates that schools do not appear to be a primary driver of Covid 19 infections in the community, and very few, if any, children will come to long term harm from the virus due solely to attending school.

They also highlighted the importance of implementing the right measures in schools to reduce transmission as much as possible, and our guidance sets out those protective measures clearly for teachers and staff, including pupils remaining in consistent groups and increased hygiene, such as handwashing.

For the vast majority of children, the benefits of being back in the classroom far outweigh the very low risk from coronavirus and schools can take action to reduce that risk even further. We also know that school is the best place for children, to learn and to socialise with their fellow pupils. It’s vital for all our children’s futures we’re able to get children back into the classroom for the new school year.

[VickyFordMP]

@PacificState

Hello. Do you agree that live video teaching is going to be crucial if schools do have to close again? And if so, what is the government doing to ensure that it can go ahead?

I don't want to reprise the squabble between teachers' unions and the government, but I saw the incredible difference between the experience of my two sons last term. One had live video lessons all day every day, one didn't. The difference in their motivation and in how much progress they made was huge.

The discrepancy is hugely unfair - kids who've had video teaching are going to be miles ahead. Realistically, schools might have to close, which means the government needs to be implementing bulletproof plans for virtual classrooms. I'd really like to know if this preparation is happening.

I am sorry to hear that your sons have had such different experiences, many schools have been excellent during the lockdown, others have found it more challenging. Our main priority is to ensure all children can return to school and having measures in place to keep them open and safe. But we continue to do all we can to make sure no-one is left behind as a result of coronavirus through targeted support for children who need it most, providing over £100 million to support children to learn at home, including delivery of over 200,000 laptops and tablets for disadvantaged and vulnerable children who need them most.

Children will be returning to school full time in September and we have invested £1 Billion in a Covid Catch Up Fund which will also provide one-on-one and small group tutoring for disadvantaged pupils.

We recognise the importance of remote education and our guidance states that schools should have the capacity to offer immediate remote education and it should be high quality and align as closely as possible with in-school provision. More detail is available on GOV.UK: Get laptops for children who cannot attend school due to coronavirus (COVID-19)

Our guidance states that schools should have the capacity to offer immediate remote education and it should be high quality and align as closely as possible with in-school provision.

The additional 150,000 devices will support: disadvantaged children in Years 3-11 who do not already have access to a device; disadvantaged, clinically extremely vulnerable children of all year groups who are unable to return to school and children in all year groups unable to access remote education whilst attending a hospital school.

To minimise disruption for those requiring access to remote education, devices will be delivered to schools within 2 working days of an order being confirmed, subject to stock availability.
For Summer term 2020, we ordered more devices than level of need forecast by local authorities and academy trusts – so we could meet families’ changing circumstances and provide a choice of devices across laptops and tablets.

All local authorities and academy trusts have been invited to order devices. Any laptops or tablets not ordered will be used to support schools if they face localised lockdowns in the autumn. You will probably already be aware, but the Oak National Academy also launched in April. This brand-new enterprise has been created by 40 teachers from some of the leading schools across England, backed by government grant funding.

Pupils are also able to draw on support from the BBC, which has launched its own education package across TV and online, helping to keep children learning and supporting parents while at home.

[VickyFordMP]

@GobletOfIre

What is the government’s strategy for dealing with a child or teacher in a school who tests positive for Covid?

Thank you for this really important question. I know there have been quite a few questions about this so I will give you a detailed answer.
There is a lot of information and advice available on gov.uk around the protective measures that schools should implement to reduce risks for staff and pupils as far as possible but I will summarise here as well.

Measures to keep staff and pupils safe include: pupils remaining in consistent groups to minimise their direct contacts with others, staggered start and finish times, and teachers being advised to maintain social distancing between themselves and their pupils wherever possible.

All pupils and staff, as well as members of their households, have access to testing if they display symptoms of coronavirus under existing national testing provisions. This will enable them to get back into childcare or education, and their parents or carers to get back to work, if the test is negative. If someone who has been in school tests positive, public health teams will provide rapid advice on action that needs to be taken.

Additionally, schools will be provided with a small number of home testing kits for children and staff who may not otherwise be able to get a test.

We have published detailed guidance for schools to prepare for a full September return, which includes the PHE-endorsed system of controls that schools should implement and advice on staff distancing.

NHS Test and Trace is up and running - providing easy access to quick and free coronavirus tests across the country. The system has tested over 2.6 million people for coronavirus and reached more than 220,000 people advising them to isolate.

Plans have been put in place to ensure schools can re-open as safely as possible and local health officials will consider the data to determine and provide advice to schools on the best action to take to help curb the spread of the virus in their local areas should there be an rise in cases locally or any confirmed cases within the school community.
We have a clear published process for what happens when someone who tests positive is known to have been in school. If schools are implementing , addressing the risks they have identified and therefore reducing transmission risks, whole school closure based on cases within the school will not generally be necessary, and should not be considered except on the advice of health protection teams.

If positive having been in school, swift action can be taken to ask those who have been in close contact with them to self-isolate – and we have ensured that Public Health England’s local health protections teams are standing ready to support and advise schools in this situation.

But anyone who develops symptoms of coronavirus should of course not be in school, and should get tested.

In consultation with the local Director of Public Health, where an outbreak in a school is confirmed, a mobile testing unit may be dispatched to test others who may have been in contact with the person who has tested positive. Testing will first focus on the person’s class, followed by their year group, then the whole school if necessary.

[VickyFordMP]

@rbsk12

I’m a Chelmsford resident and dismayed that we can’t appeal CAG grades unless we can prove bias/discrimination. There is a conflict of interest as we would be relying on the school for a UCAS reference or prediction if my son were to reapply.
My son has lost his offer for a competitive course at a top university because the school were unduly harsh in awarding their CAGs and tried to fit the distribution of grades to their past performance. With the government U-turn on awarding everyone their CAG and the resulting inflated grades, it has shifted the unfairness to students at schools where the teachers awarded “constrained CAGs”. They did this to avoid significant adjustments to their results as this is what Ofqual guidance said and therefore the grades were not truly “holistic”.

There must be a route to appeal for these students. What are your thoughts on this?

We need this to be presented to Nick Gibb and Ofqual. There is an article about it in Schoolsweek by David Blow (headteacher and Ofqual advisor). Thanks

I am so sorry to hear about your son. If you are one of my constituents do send me an email and I will look into his case.

Regarding CAGS, in the absence of evidence from exams - and given the process that schools and colleges were required to go through before submitting grades – we do not believe that there is a valid and reliable way of second guessing these judgements by schools and colleges.

Therefore appeals against A and AS level and GCSE grades will only be accepted from schools or colleges where they think they made a mistake when submitting a student’s centre assessment grade, or if they believe the exam board used the wrong data when it calculated the student’s grade.

Ofqual’s guidance to schools and colleges provided advice on objectivity in deciding on their centre assessment grades. All centre assessment grades were signed off by head teachers and or college principals who confirm that they honestly and fairly represented the grades that these students would have been most likely to achieve if they had sat their exams as planned.

However, any students who have evidence of bias or discrimination will still be able to go through the normal complaints procedure at their school or college or complain to the exam board, which could investigate potential malpractice.

We know that there will be some students who would like to have the opportunity to sit their exams and get a result based on an exam not the centre assessed grade. This is why we have set up for students to be able to sit exams this autumn.

[herecomesthsun]

I would really like to hear an answer to JLC00 's question please. It is really a challenge that shielding was actually extended through into July, only stopped at the beginning of this month, and then only 5 weeks later we are being asked to send our secondary school children (whom studies show can become infected and also transmit the virus) into schools fully open with over 1000 young people, in cramped classrooms where social distancing is not possible and often in bubbles of several hundred.

We are passionately keen to support our children's education.

However, it would be really interesting to hear how you think this can possibly be either consistent or safe for extremely clinically vulnerable children and families.

It would also interesting to see whether you feel there is no sensible answer to this situation for these families, by refraining to comment upon it.

Thank you again for coming to discuss our concerns.

[Keepdistance]

Why not allow children to continue to home school if they are currently meeting expectations in primary?
Similar to a previous poster one school is having reception new starters in with parents into the school in groups so 120 kids/adults over 2 days. The guidelines dont prohibit this.
Also primaries seem to be choosing to bubble year groups rather than classes, further exposing families. My dc will basically be exposed to all 400 primary kids via year group and the before and after clubs

[VickyFordMP]

@Macbooksdontwork

Do you have sympathy for Gavin Williamson and the challenges presented by his job?

This is a deeply unprecedented and challenging time caused by the global pandemic. Everyone at the Department for Education is working flat out to do the right thing for our children and young people, particularly the Secretary of State. The most important thing we can all do for our children and young people is get them back to school safely, its vital for their future and their wellbeing. That is what we are all focused on!

[greengreengrass14]

Thanks for doing this.
With reference to the funding for schools and lap tops etc. I had been home schooling since March. Daughter now in year 11. Due to financial constraints on household budget I had to ask to borrow a lap top to do so.

Last week the school asked for it back. I don't understand. I can't afford one at this point, costs have been hight over lockdown etc and i just can't stretch to it. Also my daughter is very studious and in the event of the bubbles closing we will need to do home schooling again.

If you ask me, like the beginnings of the school meals vouchers the grand scheme to get lap tops to low income families and whoever needs them, is not working on the ground.
Why? We don't need this additional pressure right now, it is bad enough reassuring kids that it will be okay to attend school.

[VickyFordMP]

@MotherOfGreyhound

What are you going to do for the thousands of home educated children who've been left without GCSE and a level grades as a result of the exam cancellations?

Unlike their schooled peers, they have no mocks or coursework upon which to base their grades. So far nothing has been done for them.

Thank you for this question and I know a few others have also asked this. External candidates entered for exams this year will receive a grade if the school or college was able to identify sufficient evidence of their attainment. Unfortunately not all external candidates have been able to receive a grade if there was not sufficient evidence.

Those who do not receive a grade this summer can sit their exams in the autumn. Michelle Donelan, the Universities Minister, recently sent a letter to all Vice Chancellors asking for universities be as flexible as possible in their admissions, as well as to take into account a range of evidence when admitting students to courses to ensure every young person can progress to the destination they deserve.

Universities may be able to offer January starts or deferred places to students taking exams in autumn and we encourage students to speak directly to their provider to determine what flexibility exists. More details on the government’s call for universities to be flexible in their admissions can be found here - www.gov.uk/government/news/government-urges-universities-to-hold-places

But Ofqual is working with the sector to consider how universities and further education colleges can make decisions about private candidates who do not receive a grade, such as reviewing other evidence of the applicants’ achievements.

Ofqual has asked organisations that represent higher and further education providers to consider the steps that providers could take when making admissions decisions this summer for any private candidates who do not receive a grade. They have said that they believe that providers will consider a range of other evidence and information for these students to allow them to progress wherever possible.

[VickyFordMP]

@IloveJKRowling

Why is the government not funding schools to stop the spread of sars-cov-2 in England and follow best practice for reopening as advised by experts?

So they can have smaller class sizes and better ventilation as advised by the WHO, Unicef and Independent Sage.

Do you not think the economic cost of seeding outbreaks through schools, and a second wave and second lockdown, will vastly exceed the money required for schools to follow the covid-safe guidelines for schools agreed to by experts? Not to mention the mental health impact on children of schools opening and closing and children knowing that the measures in place are inadequate?

Look what happened in Israel: www.nytimes.com/2020/08/04/world/middleeast/coronavirus-israel-schools-reopen.html
"The lesson, experts say, is that even communities that have gotten the spread of the virus under control need to take strict precautions when reopening schools. Smaller classes, mask wearing, keeping desks six feet apart and providing adequate ventilation, they say, are likely to be crucial until a vaccine is available."

Schools are receiving a £2.6 billion boost in funding this year, as we invest over £14.4 billion in total over the three year period through to 2022-23 compared with 2019 - giving every school more money for every child.

Throughout the pandemic, schools have continued to receive their core funding, with this year marking the first year of a three-year £14.4 billion total cash boost. Schools have also been able to claim for specific exceptional costs such as additional cleaning required due to confirmed or suspected coronavirus cases - worth up to £75,000 for large secondary schools.

Schools which have received lower levels of funding in the past will also receive the greatest increase as every child deserves a superb education - regardless of which school they attend, or where they happen to grow up - with our £1 billion Covid catch up package on top of this, levelling up opportunities for every young person up and down the country.

We are also investing £3.6 billion into Early Years and have made sure that Special Schools which support those with the most acute Special educational needs and disabilities have more support for catch-up.

[VickyFordMP]

@GingerbreadTeen

Could you outline what plans you have in place to protect exam sessions over the next 2-3 years (I have a child going into year 10) and enable students to safely sit exams in exam halls during further waves and national/local lockdowns?

We know that pupils in years 11 and 13 will have missed a critical period of their education due to lockdown in the 2019 to 2020 academic year.

We are, therefore, planning on the basis that GCSEs and A levels will take place in summer 2021 but with adaptations, including those which will free up teaching time.

Ofqual has already completed a public consultation and many thousands of people contributed to it. This looked at the short delay to the exam system and some subject specific changes - for example making changes to Geography field-trips and other changes that reflect the differences we all face during covid. Work is continuing on this and everyone is committed to making sure that those sitting exams this coming academic year and future years are not put at a disadvantage.

In addition, we have also launched a £1 billion Covid catch up package to directly tackle the impact of lost teaching time over the coming year.

[VickyFordMP]

@SerenityNowwwww

Why are teachers not allowed to wear PPE at schools - even if they have asthma (and have a child at home with asthma)?

Thank you to everyone who has asked questions about this. It is important to understand that different protective measures are needed depending on the situation.

We have consistently followed the latest scientific and medical advice and have kept the use of face coverings under review.

We have therefore decided to follow the World Health Organisation’s new advice. Headteachers know the physical layout of their settings best. In local lockdown areas children in year 7 and above should wear face coverings in communal spaces. Outside of local lockdown areas face coverings won’t be required in schools, though schools will have the flexibility to introduce measures if they believe it is right in their specific circumstances. I understand that there may be some confusion, but it is important to understand that different protective measures are needed depending on the situation.

But as in the general approach, it will not usually be necessary to wear face coverings in the classroom, where protective measures already mean the risks are lower, and they may inhibit teaching and learning.

In the event of new local restrictions being imposed, schools and colleges will need to communicate quickly and clearly to staff, parents, pupils and learners that the new arrangements require the use of face coverings in certain circumstances. This updated guidance on face coverings for areas of national government intervention will come into effect on 1 September. Separate guidance will be issued on this.

We have published guidance on the use of face coverings in schools as well as wider guidance around protective measures and PPE here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-in-education/face-coverings-in-education
Hopefully this will be helpful in setting things out clearly.

[herecomesthsun]

Yes we are also shielding and I previously tabled a question asking that shielding families be allowed to home school temporarily. (cf Denmark's lenient attitude over the summer to home schooling).

[JLC00]

Good Morning Vicky Ford,
A family member of mine shielded from coronavirus and has since become terminally ill with bowel cancer. They currently struggle to keep food down,are tired and in regular pain despite high levels of medication.

Since March, they and their household have only been to quiet destinations, following guidance closely when receiving home visits.

There's a significant risk that my family member deteriorates further if coronavirus or illness caught from school are contracted by their child as their immune system is still weakened.

What reassurances can you provide to us about these concerns and would yourself or a member of your team be able to make contact to discuss further if you feel it's appropriate?

We're keen for children in our family to return to education but we have legitimate concerns/questions before placing full confidence in the government that it's safe to fully re-open schools.

[VickyFordMP]

@katmarie

You will see from the many many threads on here that families have been pushed to the brink of desperation during lockdown, trying to care for and home school children, work full time jobs either as key workers (without childcare) or from home, as well as dealing with the worry and stress caused by the risk of getting covid itself, or supporting vulnerable relatives. What plans are you putting in place which will support families who find themselves in local lockdown in the next few months and have to go through all this again? What mental health provisions are you putting in place to address the impacts of this incredibly difficult time, on both children and families as a whole? I fear that lockdown has made many mental health problems worse, and brought out new mental health issues in previously well people. With the current state of mental health support in this country, this is a ticking time bomb, particularly for our children and teenagers.

We know this has been a difficult time and that parents have had to go above and beyond to care for and home school their children.

It is a national priority to ensure all children are back in their classrooms in September, because that is the best place for them to be for their education, development and wellbeing.

Young people are looking forward to getting back to school or college and being reunited with their friends and teachers, and there is a growing confidence among parents about their children returning.

We know that being in the classroom is often the best place for these children, which is why - ahead of the full return in September - we have invested in mental health charities to reach those most in need and provided Mental Health and Wellbeing resources and training to thousands of teachers. Just this week, we announced that schools and colleges will benefit from a new multi-million training programme run by mental health experts, to help improve how they respond to the emotional impact of the coronavirus pandemic on their students and staff.

In addition to this, we are also expanding the number of social workers placed in hundreds of schools to help teachers identify children at risk, and have invested over £100 million in remote education, including for devices and routers that help vulnerable children keen in contact with schools and social workers.

We’ve been clear that schools need to prepare to deliver remote education if pupils need to self-isolate or local areas have to lockdown. As well as the 200,000 laptops and devices that we have already distributed to disadvantaged and vulnerable children, we have put together a central pool of a further 150k laptops and devices which will be available as a central library in case of a local lockdown.

[VickyFordMP]

@Johnny1963

I would like to ask the Minister about provision for children with SEND. The government was very quick to relax LAs' responsibilities to provide support for these children and as predicted many LAs and schools have used this as an opportunity to cut back SEND provision.

When the Prime Minister talks about getting all children back to school and fining parents who don't comply, what are his plans for children with SEND who cannot attend school as their needs are not being met e.g. children who cannot access education without their funded 1:1 TA who is now redeployed to facilitate small school bubbles (as happened to us during lockdown.)

What will the government be doing to ensure these children can return to school full time?

@Johnny1963 The safety, wellbeing and educational outcomes of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) has always been a priority for me and for this Government. I know this has been a very hard time for many families.

Throughout the pandemic we have supported families of children with SEND, kept schools open for children with education, health and care plans where appropriate, and signposted to high quality online learning resources. We have also made £37.3 million available to support parents of children with complex needs to access essential equipment – including educational resources.

On 1 May, we changed temporarily two aspects of the law on EHC needs assessment and plan processes so that local authorities and health commissioners must use their ‘reasonable endeavours’ to secure or arrange the specified special educational/health care provision within EHC plans. These changes were intended to balance the needs of children and young people with SEND to receive specialist help and support with the ability of local authorities, education settings and health services to respond to the pandemic.
Now that schools are re-opening these temporary changes are no longer in place. This means that children and young people with EHC plans will receive support as usual, upon their return to school or college.

Regular and full time school attendance from September will be essential to help pupils with SEND catch up on time out of the classroom and access the specialist professional care they are entitled to.

Schools should work with families to ensure children are attending full time from September.

Some pupils with SEND will need specific help and preparation for the changes to routine, so teachers and SENCos should plan to meet these needs, for example using social stories. A full return for pupils and students will depend on specialist support being in place. Specialists, therapists, clinicians and other support staff for pupils with SEND should provide interventions as usual.

We are increasing high needs funding for local authorities by £780 million this year and a further £730 million in 2021-22, boosting the total budget for supporting those with the most complex needs to more than £8 billion that year, and announced 35 new special free schools to drive up standards in special education and provide specialist support.

[JamieLeeCurtains]

Hello, thanks for coming on.