Special needs budget trial

OLDHAM is set to pilot changes which could see parents of children with special needs get a personal budget to spend on support for their child’s education as part of a major shake up announced by the Government.

Ministers want education and health-care plans drawn up and a single assessment to replace “statements” which set out the individual needs of any child with severe multiple health or learning needs.

The Government’s Special Educational Needs (SEN) Green Paper also sets out measures that would give parents a real choice of school, either a mainstream or special school. A total of 20 areas across the country, including Oldham and Rochdale, are set to test out the main proposals in the SEN and disabilities Green Paper.

The test areas will try out some element of the proposals, which include the single education, health and care plan from birth to 25-years-old, focusing on whether outcomes for disabled children and their parents have been improved.

Personal budgets and the role the voluntary and community-sector organisations and parents can play in the new system will also be examined.

Other areas under the microscope include whether a national funding framework would help parents understand what level of cash is available to support their child’s needs, better support to help parents through the process and the impact of changes.

The Department for Education said each pilot would receive up to £150,000 per local authority, per year.

The consultation on the SEN and disabilities Green Paper received 2,378 responses — 26 per cent from parents and parents’ organisations.