DfE announces steps to improve education for children with additional needs

Steps to transform education for children with additional needs and ambitious plans to improve the experiences of children in alternative provision have been announced.

According to the Department for Education (DfE), evidence shows children educated in alternative provision, school settings for children who face challenges in mainstream school, are less likely to achieve good GCSE grades and are less likely to be in education, employment or training post-16.

Previous analysis also shows that children excluded from school are more likely to end up in the criminal justice system.

The plans aim to tackle those inequalities and ensure Britain is a country that “truly works for everyone” by looking at the experience and outcomes for children who face the most challenges in mainstream school - including those at greatest risk of exclusion - such as those with special educational needs (SEN), children with autism or children in need of help and protection, including those in care.

They include an externally led review of school exclusions, originally announced by the Prime Minister in response to the Race Disparity Audit, which will look at why some children are more likely to be excluded than others.

Plans also include a new £4million fund to develop new ways to help children with additional needs move from alternative provision into mainstream education or special schools and measures to drive up standards in alternative provision education settings.

Education secretary Damian Hinds said: “It’s a mark of a strong society how we treat children who are most in need of our support. Every child, whatever their background and no matter what challenges they face, should have access to a world-class education that prepares them for life in the modern world.”