An historic and ground-breaking Bill, focussed on improving the lives of those living with Down Syndrome, is expected to receive Royal Assent in the next few days after passing successfully passed through both Houses of Parliament last week.
The Down Syndrome Act, introduced by my Parliamentary colleague Dr Liam Fox’s as a Private Member’s Bill, means there is now a law to deal with the issues faced by those with Down syndrome. The Act will help to de-stigmatise Down syndrome, ensure that current provision of services is improved, and deal with future issues, such as long-term care, in an era where, for the first time, many of those with Down syndrome will outlive their parents.
Families with children who have special educational needs and disabilities often find themselves having to navigate an increasingly complex and adversarial system to get the help and support they need.
I know, from my constituency casework, parents who are already under considerable stress through dealing with children who need additional support, find it incredibly time-consuming and draining to have to jump through hoops to get financial, education and social care support for young people, and even get a diagnosis for those children in the first place.
The Department for Education is determined to level up opportunities for all children and young people, without exception. A review of SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) is being carried out in response to widespread recognition the current system is failing to deliver for children, young people and their families.
So far, the review has identified 3 key challenges facing the SEND and alternative provision system.
- Navigating the SEND system and alternative provision is not a positive experience for too many children, young people and their families.
- Outcomes for children and young people with SEND or in alternative provision are consistently worse than their peers across every measure.
- Despite the continuing and unprecedented investment, the system is not financially sustainable.
A consultation into the review is currently taking place. If this is an issue which affects you and your family you can find details of how to take part here: https://sendreview.campaign.gov.uk/
