Young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in York, and their families, are being asked to help shape future provision by taking part in a citywide consultation.
City of York Council wants to hear residents’ views on a series of broad proposals to ensure that the right provision is available to help all children and young people with SEND fulfil their individual potential.
The review follows a sustained increase in the number of children and young people with SEND, particularly those with Speech Language and Communication Needs associated with Autism.
Maxine Squire, City of York Council’s Assistant Director of Education and Skills, explained: “It’s important that we continually review our provision for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities to make sure that we’re able to meet their very diverse needs.
“With the numbers of children and young people with SEND expected to continue to increase over the next couple of years, it’s essential that we take stock of what’s working well, how we might want to deliver provision differently or what we need to improve. It’s about making sure we have the right range of provision, which best meets the varied and complex needs of all the young people in York within the budget available.”
Families will be asked for their views on proposed changes to five key areas of provision:
- early years provision;
- Provision for children and young people with SEND in mainstream schools;
- support for children and young people with Communication and Interaction Difficulties, including Autism;
- support for children and young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs;
- Provision at Applefields School (a Secondary Special School for young people aged 11-19 with a wide range of special educational needs and/or disabilities.)
The consultation is available online at www.york.gov.uk/SENDInclusionReview. Paper copies of the consultation are also available at Explore Library and Gateway Centres. The closing date is Wednesday 30 June.
Cllr Keith Orrell, the council’s Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said:
This is a great opportunity for young people with special educational needs, their families, and health and childcare professionals, to help shape future provision and I’d urge people to get involved.
“Proposals for change can cause some uncertainty for children, young people and their families. I want to reassure everyone that no changes will take place until a full evaluation of the consultation responses has been carried out and the proposals reviewed in light of the feedback.”
People can also ask questions on the Inclusion Review consultation as part of the council’s next Facebook live Q&A session at 5.30pm on Thursday 13 May.
Residents can interact with the session by either submitting questions in advance by emailing them to YourQuestions@york.gov.uk or commenting on the live video on the council’s Facebook page (CityofYork) from 5.30pm -6.30pm.