We can not afford to cede
control over budgets and
over buyers, especially when the
health and welfare of patients and jobs of workers are on the line.
The key points from each strand are highlighted as follows: Early Identification and support • Early identification of need:
health and development review at 2/2.5 years • Support in early years from
health professionals: greater capacity from
health visiting services • Accessible and high quality early years provision: DfE and DfH joint policy statement on the early years; tickell review of EYFS; free entitlement of 15 hours for disadvantaged two year olds • A new approach to statutory assessment: education,
health and care plan to replace statement • A more efficient statutory assessment process: DoH to improve the provision and timeliness of
health advice; to reduce time limit for current statutory assessment process to 20 weeks Giving parent's
control • Supporting families through the system: a continuation of early support resources • Clearer information for parents: local authorities to set out a local offer of support; slim down requirements on schools to publish SEN information • Giving parents more
control over support and funding for their child: individual
budget by 2014 for all those with EHC plan • A clear choice of school: parents will have rights to express a preference for a state - funded school • Short breaks for carers and children: a continuation in investment in short breaks • Mediation to resolve disagreements: use of mediation before a parent can register an appeal with the Tribunal