SEND and Alternative Provision Change Partnership Programme May 2024 - Update 2

26/05/2024

Reflections on the PACC and Autism West Midlands Conference May 2024

I am delighted to share my experience from the recent conference held on Monday, May 13th 2024, where I had the privilege of presenting on the current SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) and AP (Alternative Provision) Change Programme. The event provided a valuable platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, benefiting all participants, including myself.

During my presentation, I focused on the newly developed EHCP (Education, Health, and Care Plan) templates, which are currently under testing. Attendees had the opportunity to explore these templates and provide feedback, both positive and constructive. Despite the time constraints, the engagement was robust, emphasising the importance of involving parent carers in the Change Programme.

As I continue to lead this transformative initiative, I am committed to keeping parent carers informed and engaged. In a world increasingly dominated by virtual interactions, it was refreshing to meet face-to-face with fellow professionals and key stakeholders.

Feedback on Proposed EHCP National Template

Positive Aspects:

• Appreciation for including aspirations in section A2 and throughout all sections.
• Approval of the educational provision boxes in sections B-F-E.
• Acknowledgment that the new template surpasses the old one, particularly in sections B-F-E.

Areas for Consideration:

• Lack of space for a child’s photo on the front page.
• A suggestion to make the front page more personalized and person-centred.
• The absence of detailed “Preparation for Adulthood” content within the plan.
• Recommendation to include information in section A2 about what is working in school or Alternative Provision settings and what is not working.

Further opportunities

We are pleased to announce a further opportunity for dialogue and collaboration regarding the new EHCP (Education, Health, and Care Plan) templates. Further details of this face to face opportunity will be confirmed shortly.

During this session, we aim to:

• Explore the New Templates: Familiarise ourselves with the updated EHCP templates, including the changes and improvements.
• Collect Feedback: Your insights and perspectives are invaluable. We encourage open discussions to gather feedback on the templates.
• Enhance Collaboration: By providing you with the opportunity to meet and share their thoughts, we can collectively contribute to the ongoing development of the EHCP templates.

Your active participation will directly impact the quality and effectiveness of these documents. The feedback received during our discussion will be channelled back to the Department for Education through the SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) and AP (Alternative Provision) Change Programme.

Julie Johnson

SEND and AP Change Programme Partnership Senior Lead