SEND inclusion in education expert group

Expert group advising the Department for Education on improvements to mainstream education for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Purpose 

To advise ministers on how to improve mainstream education outcomes and experiences for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), with a particular focus on the following areas:

  • inclusive classroom practice and culture
  • partnerships with families
  • improving identification of children with SEND in mainstream settings
  • additional support for children with SEND in mainstream settings
  • workforce capability and expertise
  • enabling conditions and incentives

The group will also:

  • provide advice on setting clearer expectations around roles and responsibilities for inclusion and SEND in the education system
  • advise on the implementation of SEND system reforms
  • consider how reforms focused on improving inclusion will interact with wider system reforms including, but not limited to:

Terms of reference 

The terms of reference (PDF, 97 KB, 2 pages)  provide more information on the group’s: 

  • main aims and responsibilities 
  • operating model 
  • reporting functions

Scope

The group will focus its work and advice primarily on policy and practice in mainstream settings from key stage 1 to key stage 5.  

The group will consider the interactions between special and mainstream support but will not consider policy and practice delivered within specialist settings, including alternative provision.

Membership 

  • Tom Rees, CEO, Ormiston Academy Trust (Chair)  
  • Susan Douglas, CEO, Eden Academy Trust  
  • Annamarie Hassall, CEO, National Association for Special Educational Needs  
  • Dr Anne Heavey, Director of Insights for Ambition Institute  
  • Andrew O’Neill, Headteacher at All Saints Catholic College  
  • Claire Jackson, Principal Educational Psychologist at Salford City Council 
  • Heather Sandy, Executive Director of Children’s Services at Lincolnshire County Council 

Strategic advisor on special educational needs and disabilities 

Dame Christine Lenehan is the strategic advisor on special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). 

She will feed into this group and provide advice and expertise to the Secretary of State for Education and the Minister of State for School Standards on aspects of the ongoing SEND reform programme. 

Meeting frequency 

The group will meet on a monthly basis.

Contact details

SENDinclusion.ADVISORS@education.gov.uk

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