Isle of Wight SEND Reform Plan Approved Despite Parents’ Concerns

The Isle of Wight’s special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reform plan has been approved by the Government, despite concerns from parents and carers about whether it can deliver the support children need.

The council has been told the plan provides a foundation for the next stage of changes aimed at improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

The Island is also set to receive an indicative £14.46 million High Needs Stability Grant to help address historic funding pressures and improve support for children and families.

The three-year plan aims to provide earlier help, improve attendance, increase support in mainstream schools and reduce exclusions.

However, Isle of Wight SEN Support, a volunteer network of parents, carers and people with lived experience of disability, has questioned whether the workforce and resources are sufficient to deliver those ambitions.

A spokesperson said additional funding was welcome, but warned it must not come at the expense of disabled children’s rights, protections or entitlement to support.

The group also raised concerns about how families are involved in developing the reforms, saying their experiences must be properly represented.

It said success should be measured by whether children and young people receive the right specialist support at the right time, rather than by reductions in requests for education, health and care plans or specialist placements.

The council has welcomed the Government’s approval. Beth Dyer, its service director for education, said the assessment recognised commitments to early support, inclusion in mainstream schools, workforce development and investment in specialist provision.

She said the focus must now turn to delivering the changes.

Councillor Andrew Garratt, Liberal Democrat vice-chair of the children’s services, education and skills committee, described the approval as an important milestone, adding that the commitments must lead to real improvements for children, young people and their families.