Committee to hold session on children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
26 June 2020
The Education Committee is holding an oral evidence session on Wednesday 1st July to understand the impact of COVID-19 on the education of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and the consequent impact on them and their families. This includes temporary relaxation of Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) duties and changes to the running of the SEND Tribunal.
Purpose of the session
The session is part of the ongoing inquiry into the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on education and children's services, and will give Committee members the opportunity to question witnesses from organisations that campaign on behalf of children, young people and their families, as well as a charity that provides legally-based advice and casework support to the families of children and young people with SEND and a solicitor who specialises in this area.
Background
On 28 May, the Prime Minister confirmed that English primary schools would be asked to reopen to pupils in nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year Six from 1 June. Secondary years ten and twelve would begin to return from 15 June. The guidance for specialist provision differed. From 1 June, special schools and hospital schools were asked to work towards a phased return of more children and young people, without a focus on specific year groups and informed by risk assessments.
The structural issues surrounding SEND was explored by the previous Committee with its report concluding that a generation of young people were failing to receive the support they deserved. The Committee's report on a ten year plan for school and college funding, also made recommendations around SEND funding.
Witnesses
Wednesday 1 July
At 10am
- Amanda Batten, Chair, Disabled Children's Partnership
- Philippa Stobbs, Assistant Director: Education, Council for Disabled Children
- Ali Fiddy, Chief Executive, IPSEA
- Imogen Jolley, Head of Public Law, Simpson Mill
Further information
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