*Special episode* Discussing the SEND and AP Improvement Plan with Claire Coutinho

The SENDcast

Last summer we were all asked for our input as part of the SEND Review Green Paper consultation. Having reviewed thousands of responses, last week the government published their 101-page ‘SEND and AP Improvement Plan’.

Today Dale is delighted to be joined by Claire Coutinho, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Education, for a special episode ‘Discussing the SEND and AP Improvement Plan’.

Dale had this great opportunity to ask Claire questions and share her responses with you. In their discussion they cover:

• The EHCP process
• Getting the right support early on
• Accountability
• Workload
• SENCO role
• National standards
• LA change
• Reasonable adjustments

"If you look at the entirety of the plan, we're really talking about systemic change to try and make sure that everyone's got what they need to deliver for children and young people with SEND."

Claire Coutinho, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State

We hope you find this special episode useful, if you’d like to find out more about the SEND and AP Improvement Plan, Lorraine Petersen OBE will be joining us for a SEND briefing on 22nd March. Lorraine will be giving her response and breaking down what it really means for young people, SENCOs and schools – sign up for FREE.

About Claire Coutinho

Claire Coutinho was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Education on 26 October 2022.

She was previously Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Work and Pensions from 21 September to 27 October 2022.

Clare was elected Conservative MP for East Surrey on 12 December 2019.

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing)

The minister’s responsibilities include:

• special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including high needs funding
• alternative provision
• children’s social care
• children in care, children in need and child protection
• adoption and care leavers
• early years and childcare
• family hubs and early childhood support
• disadvantaged and vulnerable children
• children and young people’s mental health
• policy to protect against serious violence
• freedom of speech in education
• online safety and preventing bullying in schools

Useful Links

• B Squared Website – www.bsquared.co.uk
• Meeting with Dale to find out about B Squared - https://calendly.com/b-squared-team/overview-of-b-squared-sendcast
• Assessing Progress for Pupils Working out of Year Group - https://www.bsquared.co.uk/2022/09/27/assessing-progress-for-pupils-working-out-of-year-group/
• Email Dale – [e-mail]
• What is in the SEND and AP Improvement plan briefing – 22nd March - https://www.trainingforeducation.com/product/whats-in-the-send-and-alternative-provision-improvement-plan/
• What is in the SEND and AP Improvement plan briefing – 22nd March - SEND and AP Improvement Plan - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1139561/SEND_and_alternative_provision_improvement_plan.pdf
• SEND and AP Improvement Plan (easy read) - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1139607/SEND_and_alternative_provision_improvement_plan_easy_read.pdf
• Independent Analysis of the consultation responses - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1139719/Independent_analysis_of_the_consultation_responses_to_the_SEND_review_right_support__right_place__right_time.pdf

• B Squared Website – www.bsquared.co.uk

• Meeting with Dale to find out about B Squared - https://calendly.com/b-squared-team/overview-of-b-squared-sendcast

• Email Dale – [e-mail]

• Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe