Research into proposed reforms for young people with special educational needs and disabilities
Client: LG Group | NFER contact: Caroline Sharp
The 2011 Green Paper on special educational needs and disability makes wide ranging proposals to improve services and outcomes for young people and parents. The NFER conducted 3 pieces of research for the Local Government Group on provision for young people with special educational needs (SEN) and learners with learning difficulties and disabilities (LLDD). The projects focused on: local authority perceptions of how young people and their families will be affected by the Green Paper proposals; parents’ and young people’s views on residential education; and transition of young people with SEN/LLDD to adult life and services.
Key findings from all three projects
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Parents and professionals largely welcomed the Green Paper’s proposals, especially on early identification, a single assessment process and greater parental engagement. But there were some concerns about specific aspects of the suggested reforms (especially the single category of SEN, the exercise of parental choice of school, and accountability for services provided by the voluntary and community sector)
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Certain aspects of the current system are in urgent need of improvement. For example, the residential placement process can be stressful for parents, and young people with SEN/LLDD need better support for transition to adult life
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There is a clear need for service and system improvement to provide appropriate and timely support for young people with SEN/LLDD and their families, while recognising the challenge of providing excellent services within limited resources.
Further information
NFER project codes: SENG; LGRC; SENT;