Special Educational Needs and the Green Paper

Posted by Sue Roberts on 25 November 2011 | 0 Comments

Tags: SEN, Special Educational Needs, Green Paper, Mediation

Special Educational Needs (SEN) is undergoing an overhaul designed to reform and refine the system with ideas set out in the Green Paper. 

This short summary gives an idea of what’s in store, but it’s clear that Mediation is to play a key role in SEN in the new world.  This move is in line with others taken by the Coalition in promoting mediation and it's use in the public sector but with the proposed revisions to Special Educational Needs, mediation will be a requirement between parents and providers in the event of difficulties.  Page 8 of the Executive Summary in the Green Paper puts mediation directly into the frame to assist in cases where parents and the local authority disagree on the best options for the child.  Mediation gives both parties the opportunity to reach an agreement without the anxiety and stress of a complaints process.  This is not just a money-saving exercise: this is about giving people the autonomy to find their own way of determining the best outcomes for a child with Special Educational Needs.  Anything that simplifies and de-stresses the complexities of finding the best solutions has to be positive.

Mencap's chief executive, Mark Goldring, welcomed the single assessment and plan, but warned "The real test will be how successfully different agencies will be able to work in partnership to deliver services.  The system will also need to have appropriate checks and balances in place to ensure that all of a child's needs are properly met and addressed".

In line with the government's localism agenda, the green paper also plans to transfer power to front line professionals and local communities.  Mark Goldring, however, said that localism "may make education for children with a learning disability even more of a postcode lottery unless there is national co-ordination and leadership"

Other plans in the green paper include:

1.  Introducing greater independence to assessments, perhpas by involving the voluntary sector

2.  Giving parents a legal right to control funding for their child's support (through a personal budget) by 2014

3.  Making easy-to-understand information about all services available from local authorities

4.  Overhauling teach training and professional development

5.  Making improvements to the range and diversity of schools available for parents to choose from

Mediation continues to move up the agenda, not just for children with SEN, but in all walks of life.  It’s a key requirement for the public sector, a must for those undergoing family problems such as divorce or separation, and is a major factor in defusing workplace conflict.   Contact Peaceworks and find out how mediation can save you the time and stress involved in disagreements, conflict, grievance and dispute.