SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS & DISABILITY - SEND SE19

Who we are 

The South East Region SEND network (self-named 'SE19' after our membership) is set up to support service development and provision for children and young people in line with the 2014 Children and Families Act.

We include all stakeholders: education, health, social care, parent carers and young people.

We operate through peer support as well as running regional events, workshops and training on topics which are identified throughour regional Steering Group, members of the network and national bodies. 

Governance is through the SE19 SEND Network Steering Group, chaired by Kevin McDaniel (DCS RB Windsor & Maidenhead). Membership is made up of Local Authority SEND Leads together with representation from National Network of Parent Carer Forums and NHS England (South East), with input from DfE SEND Advisers.

Details of Steering Group meetings can be found here.

Check out below for latest SEND news.

For more details please contact Tracey Maytas.

The SEND SE19 Network links closely with the SE19 Education Network. To view the latest news and updates from the SE19 Education Network, please see here. 

SEND SE19 events & workstreams

Events

Events 2020-2021: we are currently working on a calendar to cover this busy year. We have moved to a MS Team platform for current events but as from January 2021 we are planning to hold a limited number of face to face meetings, where the can be held safely.

Events 2019-2020

Events 2018-2019

Workstreams and links to web pages

Strategic Co-Production for Commissioning Group: A forum for local authorities and parent/carer representatives to support co-production and participation in commissioning service provision for the local offer.

SE19 Post 16/Preparing for Adulthood Working Group: A network of the LA post-16 leads and education providers working together to improved outcomes for chidlren 16-25, supported by National Development Team for Inclusion.

SE19 DCO/DMO Network: A network of all Designated Clinical Officers and Designated Medical Officers, supported by NHS England SE Region SEND Programme Leads. 

SEND SE19 NEWS

From autumn 2020, Ofsted and CQC are planning to conduct a limited number of visits to local areas regarding their SEND arrangements. 

22 07 2020

ADCS has published a 'Discussion Paper' - Building a country that works for all children post COVID-19, calling for action to tackle the inequalities and vulnerabilities experienced by children affected by COVID-19, with support for the principal recommendation in Health inequality in England: The Marmot Review 10 years on (The Health Foundation, 2020), namely the initiation of an ambitious, world leading health inequalities strategy.

COVID-19 Guidance

Guidance for Further Education and Skills Providers (including for Supported Internships) 

September Full Opening

Four PHE flowcharts for managing infection in schools and childcare settings: Hampshire & Isle of Wight, Kent, Surrey &  Sussex and Thames Valley.

COVID-19 Newsflashes

22 July DfE Newsflash

Joint open ministerial letter with return-to-school update.

19 June Newsflash from DfE

SEND Single Route of Redress National Trial extended until 31 August 2021 - with a copy of the letter from Vicky Ford, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families, to the Directors of Children’s Services.  

02 June Newsflash from DfE

DfE has updated their guidance for education and childcare settings in relation to accessing personal protective equipment (PPE).

Guidance (26.05.20) was published by DfE on how  schools and colleges support children and young people with SEND as they prepare for wider opening.

Please find attached here an open letter to children and young people with SEND, their parents, families and others who support them from Vicky Ford, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and Families.

SEND and Vulnerable Children Risk Assessment Guidance can be accessed here.

Court and tribunal updates

The Ministry of Justice has published high-level advice regarding coronavirus on gov.uk, which can be found here. This page provides advice and guidance for all court and tribunal users during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak including how they are working, which locations are working and changes to hearings scheduled and will be updated when new advice is available.

Updated practice direction issued by the Senior President of Tribunals relating to panel composition in the First-tier and Upper Tribunals can be acccessed via this link.

Legal information relating to aspects of telephone and video hearings can be accessed here.

SE19 Inspection Reports

Inspection letters

The Government has published Local area SEND inspection outcome letters for the following local authorities in the SE region:

Brighton and Hove; East Sussex; Hampshire; Isle of Wight; Kent; Medway; Milton Keynes; Oxfordshire; Portsmouth; Southampton; Surrey; West Berkshire; West Sussex; Windsor and Maidenhead; Wokingham (15/19). Those awaiting their SEND inspection are Bracknell Forest; Buckinghamshire;  Reading; Slough. (4/19). 

Inspection Revisits

The Government has published Local Area SEND Inspection Revisit outcomes for the following local authorities in the SE region:

Medway; Oxfordshire; Surrey; Windsor and Maidenhead.

Re-visits to Kent and Wokingham are awaited.

Ofsted and Care Quality Commission inspect local areas’ effectiveness in identifying and meeting the needs of children and young people who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. 

Read more about these inspections in the inspection framework and handbook. There is also information about these inspections for families.