More than 200,000 schoolchildren face being removed from the special needs register as a new system of enhanced support is aimed at fewer pupils.
Statements setting out entitlements for children with more severe needs, typically listing hours of support per week, are to be replaced with a plan of goals to advance their education.
Sarah Teather, the Minister for Children, said that those with special needs should have a single assessment for their education, health and care requirements. The proposal, in a Green Paper to be published today, marks a reversal of the previous Government’s “inclusion” policy to teach more children with special needs in mainstream schools.
Ms Teather said that more special schools were needed in parts of England with little specialist state provision and that free schools focusing on special needs could help to fill gaps, although parents will be able to choose mainstream schools.
Simpler, quicker assessments would lead to a single plan setting out how to advance the child’s education and wellbeing, and which service would pay. Parents would have a personal budget for school transport, wheelchairs or equipment and some services.
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Such support will last until people are 25, covering higher and further education and finding work, whereas statements of special needs stop at 16.
Voluntary groups will also be given a bigger role, with advice for parents and mediation for those unhappy with their child’s support before cases reach tribunals.
The proposals follow criticism from Ofsted, which said last year that almost 500,000 children were wrongly classed as having learning difficulties to boost schools’ league table scores, secure extra money or cover up poor teaching. About two million children are classed as having special needs.
There is also likely to be action to reduce the high numbers of children with special needs who are excluded from school. They may be subject to new assessments to look for undiagnosed conditions such as speech or language difficulties, mental illness or problems at home.
Some of the changes, which are subject to consultation, could be introduced quickly on a trial basis but others may not be introduced until 2014.