Peterborough parents ‘concerned’ despite new guidance on special educational needs school provision

During the first lockdown a number of parents and carers said they reached breaking point with their children at home, with many of the youngsters struggling to cope and not receiving the support they needed as outlined in their Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).

The new guidance which was released on Thursday has acknowledged the “disproportionate” impact on children with SEND during the first lockdown, adding that this time around “it is important that on-site provision is provided for these pupils and students wherever possible and appropriate”.

The definition of vulnerable children and young people includes those with a social worker or an EHCP.

Family Voice Peterborough chief operating officer Louise Ravenscroft said: “We know this is an extremely worrying and challenging time for parents and carers which is why we are holding surveys and Facebook polls to get their views.

“We are in regular contact with the local authority and will continue to share any feedback we receive with it.

“The first lockdown was horrible for many families and we will be there to support them in any way we can.”

Family Voice Peterborough is a charity which helps to improve the lives of children and young people with disabilities or additional needs.

It has been offering continual support during the coronavirus pandemic, including food packages, wellbeing packs and signposting parents and carers to support which is available, as well as regularly sharing feedback with the local authority.

Parents and carers have told Family Voice over the past 10 days that:

. They want the choice as to whether their child attends school during the current lockdown

. In a number of cases they have had to initiate communication with their child’s school to establish their attendance

. They do not necessarily feel that remote learning is suitable to their child’s needs.

Points raised in the guidance include:

. All schools are expected to allow and strongly encourage vulnerable children and young people to attend. Parents or carers of vulnerable children and young people are strongly encouraged to take up the place

. Special schools should continue to welcome and encourage pupils to attend full-time where the parent or carer wishes for that to happen. Specialist post-16 settings should continue to welcome and encourage students to attend as per their usual timetable where the young person wishes to attend

. EHCPs should continue to be met. When it becomes more difficult to do so than usual, education settings, local authorities and health partners should discuss with families to co-produce alternative arrangements for delivering provision

. Annual review timescales for EHCPs remain in place but may need to take a different shape

. Clinically extremely vulnerable pupils and students are advised not to attend their education setting during this period

. Transport services to education settings should continue to be provided where children and young people need them

. Families, schools, local authorities and other relevant organisations should be involved in co-ordinating support for the child and their family.

Children’s minister Vicky Ford said: “I know that this national lockdown will be challenging for children and young people with SEND and their families.

“I am incredibly grateful for the continued dedication and diligence of those who work to support them, whilst recognising that there may be circumstances in which it is more difficult than usual to do so.

“Co-production and effective communication between all partners continue to be key to ensuring that children, young people and their families can access high quality education and specialist professional care, working together to co-produce alternative methods of delivering this where appropriate.”

Family Voice can be contacted by emailing [email protected], by calling 01733 685510, or through its Facebook page.

For more information, visit: http://www.familyvoice.org/.

The guidance can be read in full at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/952377/Guidance_for_special_schools__specialist_post-16_providers_and_alternative_provision_during_the_national_lockdown.pdf.