Support and Aspiration: Government reforms and the impact on FE for learners with learning difficulties and disabilities

[Background] [Aims] [Audience] [Programme] [Event Information] [Application Conditions]

Background

On September 3rd, 2012, following on from the Progress and Next Steps report on the response to the consultation on the SEN and Disability Green Paper, the Government published draft legislation on reform of provision for children and young people with learning difficulties and disabilities.  The Government describes the reforms as:

".... the next step in the journey towards the biggest reforms to the SEN system for 30 years that began with the 2011 Green Paper 'Support and Aspiration:  A new approach to special educational needs and disability'.

The focus of the reforms is on developing the system from age 0-25 to support people with learning difficulties and disabilities that will:

"support better life outcomes for young people; give parents confidence by giving them more control; and transfer power to professionals on the front line and to local communities."

At the core of the SEN and Disability Green Paper and the proposed reforms is the development of a single assessment process and a joint Education, Health and Care Plan. Changes in the strategic planning and funding of provision for young people with special educational needs and disability will have a significant impact on the learning and skills sector. Funding arrangements for young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities with complex needs who attend college have changed as a result of the School Funding Reforms which are in line with the proposals set out in the SEN and disability Green Paper.

Do you think this is just about schools?  Come and find out how it will affect colleges and learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities?

The announcements in the Next Steps report include information on:

• legislation through a Children and Families Bill in this session of Parliament that would make the Education, Health and Care Plan provide statutory protections for young people over 16 and up to 25 in colleges that are comparable to those associated with SEN statements - the proposed reforms that were published on September 3rd, 2012;
• the trialing of Supported internships for young people with SEN in 15 colleges from September 2012 which will test a study programme for supported internships, a model it is suggested, that could be adopted by all further education colleges from September 2013;
• phase 2 of the LSIS work funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Department for Education. Phase 1 of this work established a cluster in each of the nine English regions involving 55 providers who worked together to challenge low expectations, improve teaching and learning and improve planning for employment and independent living for disabled young people and those with learning difficulties;
• Information on the work of the 20 local pathfinders that are testing the reforms.

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Aims

NIACE is hosting two seminars in partnership with the Association of National Specialist Colleges (NATSPEC) and Disability Rights UK. The aim of the seminars is to provide an opportunity to learn more about how these changes will affect learning and skills providers and discuss the:

• the proposed reforms in the draft Children and Families Bill;
• reforms to school funding and the impact this will have on funding arrangements for young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities with complex needs attending colleges and other providers;
• progress of the SEN and Disability Pathfinders and the Preparing for Adulthood programme which is supporting the work of the Pathfinders;
• Supported Internships trials;
• work of phase 1 of the LSIS SEN and Disability clusters and early plans for phase 2. 

Colleagues from the Department for Education who have a lead responsibility for the draft bill to take forward the reforms in the SEN and Disability Green Paper and the school funding reforms have confirmed that they will be speaking the seminars. 

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Audience

Senior managers and Lecturers and teaching staff in further and adult education services, work based learning, independent specialist colleges and voluntary and the community sector;

Local Authority transition and person-centred planning co-ordinators;

Schools transition staff;

Education Funding Agency and Skills Funding Agency staff with responsibility for learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Programme

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Event Information

• Arrival, registration and sandwich lunch is at 1:30pm for a 2pm start. The event will end at 4:30pm
• Event fee per person: £120; Lower fee £99 per person for members of NIACE, NATSPEC and Disbilility Rights UK members (includes sandwich lunch, tea/coffee)
• NB: NIACE does not charge VAT on conference or course fees
• Only online application forms with the payments section completed will be processed.
• NB: If you wish us to invoice your employer we require a copy of the Purchase Order before the form is processed
• Places will be allocated in order of receipt of completed online application forms (one online application form per person)
• Video cameras may be in use at this event. If you do not wish to be photographed or appear on the video outputs please indicate this on the application form and make yourself known at registration
• Participants should be prepared to take their own notes as there will not be handouts for all sessions
• If you have not received an e-mail confirming your attendance and joining instructions 4 working days before the event please contact: events@niace.org.uk

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Application Conditions 

• Event date: Tuesday 2 October 2012, London
• Closing date: Thursday 20 September 2012
• Event date: Wednesday 17 October 2012, Birmingham
• Closing date: Thursday 4 October 2012
• Cancellations are non-refundable
• The full fee is payable prior to the event
• Substitutions are to be advised 5 working days prior to the event
• A 15 working days notice period is required for provision of electronic note-takers, sign language interpreters and transcription to Braille
• Places are to be reserved online - scroll up and click on Apply Now
• Reservations by telephone cannot be accepted
• Application forms are individually acknowledged by e-mail. Joining instructions, including map and directions, will be e-mailed out one week before the event
• NIACE reserves the right to reject applicants who are not from the target audience list.

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