Responding to the Schools White Paper and accompanying SEND consultation, Dr Rhidian Hughes, Chief Executive of the Voluntary Organisations Disability Group (VODG) says:
'We all want children to get the very best from school and education. There is much to welcome in the Schools White Paper ‘Every Child Achieving and Thriving' and huge potential for change in the SEND system based on the proposals and vision set out by Ministers.
'Across the VODG membership there is a whole ecosystem of services for disabled children and young people and education features strongly within that. We need to use this policy opportunity for commissioners to reframe their relationship with the not for profit third sector, creating partnerships and opportunities to invest and deliver the very best to make sure every child is able to access the education and support opportunities they both need and are entitled to.
‘We stand ready to engage with the consultation process, to make the case for investment in mainstream and specialist provision and critically, to amplify the offer of not for profit services, all deeply rooted in local communities, that will enable disabled children and young people and their families to thrive.'
--
Further information about the white paper and consultation can be found here.
VODG will be working with members of our Children and Young People's Special Interest Group over the coming months to continue engaging with the government on their plans for SEND reform.
