CHILDREN and young adults with special educational needs and disabilities will be supported differently in the county.

The Children and Families Act 2014 requires a joined up approach across education, health and social care to help make possible improved results for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Now everyone aged 0 to 25 with SEND and needing extra support will have a single plan setting out all the help they will receive from education, health and social care and who is responsible for each part of the plan.

A new plan known as an Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP) will replace the statement of Special Educational Needs. EHCPs will be introduced gradually as existing statements and Learning Difficulty Assessments (LDAs) are phased out; LDAs by September 2016, and statements by April 2018.

Individuals and families will now be more involved in identifying the support they need to get the most out of life, whether that's from school, college, health or the county council.

Local authorities must also publish, in one place, information about the range of support they expect to be available in their area for children and young people from 0 to 25 years with SEND.

This information is known as the ‘Local Offer’ and includes details of a ‘graduated pathway’ which enables the right level of support to be provided when needed.

As part of the reforms, local organisations need to work together in the interests of children and young people with SEND, and local authorities and health are encouraged to cooperate to shape high quality local services.

Councillor Paul McLain, cabinet member for Children & Young People said: “In Gloucestershire, we have taken this opportunity to build on what we do well, recognise where we can improve and make the sensible changes that children, young people and parent carers want.”

Councillor Kathy Williams, cabinet member for Long-term Care said: “We want to make sure that families feel listened to and involved and I’m sure this joined up approach will help these children and young people now and into the future.”

Dr Jeremy Welch, GP and clinical lead for Children and Young People’s Services at NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “We know that it can seem daunting when your child is found to have special educational needs or a disability, and knowing how to get the right support is important, whether this is from friends, family, the school, council or health services.

“As part of these changes, we are working hard across the agencies to make services more joined up and streamlined, ensuring that children, young people and parents feel fully involved and listened to so that the child or young person has the best possible opportunities as they grow up and move into adulthood.”

For more information visit www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/extra/SENDchanges