SEND adviser admits reforms ‘taking longer than sector hoped’

A SEND advisor for the Department for Education has acknowledged that the reforms are occurring “at a slower pace than anticipated” as the government aims to “finalize its strategies.”

Dame Christine Lenehan, who serves as the SEND strategic advisor to the DfE, expressed during the Tes SEND show that she had “never seen” the sector so “frustrated” while waiting for the forthcoming reforms to be revealed by the government.

Lenehan and Tom Rees, the inclusion tsar for the government, provided limited updates on the long-awaited reforms, soon to be detailed in an upcoming white paper.

However, they shared insights regarding what had been learned in the previous year.

Reforms ‘taking time’

Lenehan commented, “The government is taking longer, likely longer than you expected, to finalize its plans. In the meantime, there is extensive planning, a great deal of thought, and much testing underway to determine what works and fits to our overall objectives.”

However, she noted that this has resulted in a “void of information,” leading her to assert that “at least two thirds of what I read is not accurate.”

Lenehan previously informed Schools Week that officials are contemplating a revamp of the education, health, and care plan system, potentially resulting in a streamlined or restructured form of support as part of the reforms.

She added, “There is considerable noise, worry, and anxiety within the system. Part of my responsibility has been to return, gaining insights from parents and schools in the system to determine which essential elements we must retain.”

‘Growing agreement’ on reform principles

Rees, who chairs the expert advisory group for inclusion at the Department for Education and is the CEO of Ormiston Academies Trust, mentioned that a “growing consensus on some of the foundational principles” for the impending reforms is emerging.

“The primary principle is to stop viewing the SEND system as a separate entity but rather to integrate it into the main system, ensuring it influences the fundamental aspects of education,” Rees elaborated.

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