Boiler wrote: ↑Sat Jul 05, 2025 9:23 pmMuch the same.Oboogie wrote: ↑Sat Jul 05, 2025 8:32 pmGuardian.Tubby Isaacs wrote: ↑Sat Jul 05, 2025 8:18 pmHa haI don't get it? If not the Mail, which paper was it from?
The Weeping Angel wrote: ↑Mon Jul 07, 2025 1:03 pm The press are full of fevered speculation about SEND.The Guardian certainly is, based purely on speculation.
The government has not yet made a decision on future changes to education, health and care plans and is not looking to end “effective provision” for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), a minister has told MPs.
Schools minister Catherine McKinnell faced MPs’ questions today in the final session of the Commons Education Select Committee’s inquiry into solving the SEND crisis.
Tes previously revealed that, as part of the government’s ongoing reforms of the SEND system, it is considering whether education, health and care plans (EHCPs) are “the right vehicle” to continue with.
A White Paper setting out planned SEND reforms is expected to be published in the autumn.
Ms McKinnell told the committee that the government was yet to decide on changes to EHCPs.So I'm not sure what the pearl-clutching is for. Perhaps if Foz reads this she could give us a more in-depth insider opinion.
The government has said it believes more pupils could be educated within mainstream schools.
Tes revealed in May that the government is considering the future of EHCPs - a system of statutory support for pupils that was created in 2014.
Ms McKinnell said today: “We have been clear that we will avoid removing effective provision, that is evidence-based and is working and delivering for children and young people.”
Select committee member and former education secretary James Cleverly asked if this meant that the government was not guaranteeing a continuity of provision.
“You’re saying where it’s good quality it will continue but you’re not giving a 100 per cent guarantee of continuity of provision?” he asked.
Ms McKinnell responded by repeating her comment that the government was not going to remove effective provision.
“You’re saying where it’s good quality it will continue but you’re not giving a 100 per cent guarantee of continuity of provision?” he asked.This led to "minister fails to deny that lots will lose provision". I think McKinnell's response is perfectly sensible. If something is expensive and not very good, there's a strong argument that the government stops funding it.
Ms McKinnell responded by repeating her comment that the government was not going to remove effective provision.