The government has extended the deadline for responses to its consultation on special educational needs and disability (SEND) reforms, following criticism of a delay in publishing accessible versions of its plans.
The Department for Education’s SEND Green Paper was published at the end of March.
Now - more than a month later - it has produced a British Sign Language (BSL) and easy-read version, as well as a guide to the SEND review for children and young people.
It has also extended the consultation by three weeks, to a closing date of 11.45pm on 22 July, “to give participants time to use the new materials and submit their responses”.
In a statement posted on Twitter, children’s minister Will Quince said: “I’ve listened to your concerns and I’m extending the SEND review consultation to 22 July.
“A full, fair, open consultation is key to our vision for more inclusivity. We’ve published a suite of accessible versions of our Green Paper, so even more people can get involved.
“These new documents include a BSL version, an ‘easy-read’ version and a version written uniquely for children and young people.
“I encourage children and young people with special educational needs, their parents, carers and those working with them to take part in the consultation.”
Simon Knight, head of Frank Wise, a special school in Oxfordshire, welcomed the announcement but said he was “cross” that it had taken so long.
“I am delighted that this has finally been resolved so that young people with learning disabilities can contribute to what is a very important consultation,” he said. “I am cross that it has taken them this long to sort this out.”
