SEN Code of Practice (COP) 2014
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"WHAT IS THE SEN CODE OF PRACTICE?"
The SEN Code of Practice 2001 has recently undergone a total overhaul which started with various consultations beginning in 2010 that finally culminated with the new SEN Code of Practice (‘CoP’) 2014 on 28 July 2014.
The new SEN Code of Practice came into force on 1 September 2014 and is statutory guidance based on Part 3 of the new Children and Families Act 2014 (and other associated regulations).
It has been hailed as the ‘biggest shake-up to SEN for 30 years’. Some of the fundamental changes that have been made are:
The SEN CoP 2014 applies to LAs, maintained schools, pupil referral units (‘PRU’), academies, free schools, non-maintained special schools and colleges. They must all take account of the CoP when dealing with children and young people with SEND.
"WHAT IS IN THE SEN CODE OF PRACTICE?"
There are 11 chapters in the CoP. Within each chapter there are various sub-headings, including but not limited to the information provided below.
Chapter 1: Principles
Chapter 2: Impartial information, advice and support
Chapter 3: Working together across education, health and care for joint outcomes
Chapter 4: The Local Offer
Chapter 5: Early years providers
Chapter 6: Schools
Chapter 7: Further education
Chapter 8: Preparing for adulthood from the earliest years
Chapter 9: Education, health and care needs assessments and plans
Chapter 10: Children and young people in specific circumstances
Chapter 11: Resolving disagreements
The SEN Code of Practice 2001 has recently undergone a total overhaul which started with various consultations beginning in 2010 that finally culminated with the new SEN Code of Practice (‘CoP’) 2014 on 28 July 2014.
The new SEN Code of Practice came into force on 1 September 2014 and is statutory guidance based on Part 3 of the new Children and Families Act 2014 (and other associated regulations).
It has been hailed as the ‘biggest shake-up to SEN for 30 years’. Some of the fundamental changes that have been made are:
- ‘Statements of SEN’ have been replaced by ‘Education, Health and Care (‘EHC’) plans
- They now cover ages 0 – 25 as opposed to 2 – 19
- There should now be better integration between LAs and others working with education, health and care provisions
- Children and young people with SEN or a disability (‘SEND’) and their families are to be put at the centre of the process
The SEN CoP 2014 applies to LAs, maintained schools, pupil referral units (‘PRU’), academies, free schools, non-maintained special schools and colleges. They must all take account of the CoP when dealing with children and young people with SEND.
"WHAT IS IN THE SEN CODE OF PRACTICE?"
There are 11 chapters in the CoP. Within each chapter there are various sub-headings, including but not limited to the information provided below.
Chapter 1: Principles
- Principles underpinning the CoP
- Supporting children, young people and parents to participate in decisions about their support
- Involving children, young people and parents in planning, commissioning and reviewing services
- Identifying children and young people’s needs
Chapter 2: Impartial information, advice and support
- Who are information, advice and support for?
- What needs to be provided?
- Additional support
Chapter 3: Working together across education, health and care for joint outcomes
- Scope of joint commissioning outcomes
- Establishing effective partnerships across education, health and care
- Partnership with children, young people and parents
Chapter 4: The Local Offer
- What is the Local Offer
- Preparing and reviewing the Local Offer
- Keeping the Local Offer under review
- Publishing comments about the Local Offer
Chapter 5: Early years providers
- Improving outcomes: high aspirations and expectations for children with SEN
- Equality Act 2010
- SEN in the early years
- From birth to two – early identification
- Identifying needs in the early years
Chapter 6: Schools
- Equality and inclusion
- Careers guidance for children and young people
- Identifying SEN in schools
- Special education provision in schools
- Requesting an EHC needs assessment
- The role of the SENCO in schools
Chapter 7: Further education
- Statutory duties on post-16 education
- Careers guidance for young people
- Identifying SEN
- SEN support in college
- Funding for SEN support
Chapter 8: Preparing for adulthood from the earliest years
- Strategic planning for the best outcome in adult life
- Duties on local authorities
- Starting early
- Support from year 9 onwards (age 13-14)
- Children and young people with EHC plans: preparing for adulthood reviews
- Young people preparing to make their own decisions
- The Mental Capacity Act
- Transition to adult health services
Chapter 9: Education, health and care needs assessments and plans
- Requesting an EHC needs assessment
- Considering whether an EHC needs assessment is necessary
- Principles underpinning co-ordinated assessment and planning
- Advice and information for EHC needs assessment
- Deciding whether to issue an EHC plan
- Transparent and consistent decision-making
- Finalising and maintaining the EHC plan
Chapter 10: Children and young people in specific circumstances
- Looked after children
- Care leavers
- SEN and social care needs, including children in need
- Children and young people educated out of area
- Children and young people with SEN educated at home
- Children with SEN who are in alternative provision
- Children and young people with SEN who are in youth custody
Chapter 11: Resolving disagreements
- Early resolution of disagreements
- Disagreement resolution arrangements and mediation
- Mediation
- Registering an appeal with the Tribunal
- Parents’ and young people’s rights to appeal to the Tribunal about EHC needs assessments and EHC plans
- Disability discrimination claims
- Legal Aid
- Post-16 institution complaints
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This information is meant to be helpful but Douglas Silas Solicitors cannot be responsible for any loss caused by reliance upon it. If you have concerns about your child, please seek professional educational/healthcare advice. Should you find anything which you believe to be inaccurate please Contact Us as soon as possible.
