Contact a FamilyEmerging issues in relation to SEND reformJo Hardy, Rosie Noble, Jacky Spigel, Asha Yadav

Emerging Issues around SEND reform• What has changed since the summer?• Information overload – is a clearer

picture emerging?• What is happening on the ground?

Emerging Issues around SEND reform• Local authorities – demand, transition

plans, timeframes and expectations, culture change

• Voluntary sector – where do we fit in? • Parents and carers – what are their

concerns?

Pilot programme Wandsworth• Consulted with parents from the local

parent forum, Positive Parent Action• Consulted with young people at the local

after school provision for young people with learning difficulties

• Attended professionals’ meeting about the pilot families in Wandsworth

What parents said• Want people with knowledge to be part of the

new process• Want to tell their story once• Want to be sure that their voice would be heard• Want to be sure their child is at the centre• Want reassurance that the plan has the same

standing as a statement in legal terms

Parents’ concerns• The children with complex health needs but

no SEN – how will their needs be met?• How will joint commissioning work?• How will it be possible to get so many

professionals together for a meeting?• What about children on the old school action

and school action plus?

What young people said about the new process

• Want professionals to be reliable and come and visit when they said they would

• Want freedom• Want to be able go out with friends• Want to live with their friends• Want to live alone• Want to have their say

Lessons learned• Keep parents in the communication loop• Make sure young people have their voices

heard• Try to get all professionals to understand the

process and work together• Look at training for professionals around

outcomes

Lewisham SEND Pathfinder• 2012 – 2014 Parents Forum and Contact a

Family working with Local Authority• Co-production on EHC Plans• Focus groups on Local Offer• Consultations on Children and Families Act

(CFA) + Code of Practice• Regular progress meetings with Multi-

Agency Manager

Amalgamation of Education, Health and Care• Children with Disabilities and Complex Needs move 3

services to one building early 2013 onwards• Family Worker from Contact a Family works on pilot

EHC Plans with families• Parents remain confused about new process –

various EHC workshops organised by Contact a Family and CWD

• Approximately 80 EHC plans completed in one year

Sharing Stories• Nov 2013 workshop comparingStatements with EHC plans• Pathfinder parents share their

experiences

EALING – The journey so far• June-July 2014 - Information dissemination for

parents and professionals through workshops. • Local offer: Published on 1st Sep 2014- Technical glitches - Not enough feedback from parents• Local authority received 60 requests for

Statements on 31st August 2014.

EALING – the journey so far• Conversion Plan

Transferring from school to post 16 institutionWider scale conversion from April 2015 Exception circumstances on case-by-case basis

• Parental representation5 parents on Assessment and Planning panel

• Independent Supporter Role, MoU, Partnering agencies

• What have our families shared so far?

Our contribution in Ealing• Organising Focus group to improve local offer• Wider reach: help LA to reach out to

marginalised communities in Ealing • Provide independent support to families going

through the process – in a sensitive & culturally appropriate way

• 30 years of experience: trust-based relationship, knowledge and skills of borough & support/ services

Looking ahead

• Good planning, good mapping, be resouceful• Good relationships – use the VCS and parent

carer forums to get information to families• Transition period will be particularly

challenging – demand and timeframe• Evaluate and review – get feedback, listen• Think about future commissioning