6 May 2009
The Lamb Inquiry is very keen to get your views of the SEN system and is inviting everyone – parents, children and staff in schools and children’s services– to answer our online questionnaires on the Call for evidence page. The call for evidence closes at 10.00pm on 30 June 2009.
29 April 2009
Brian Lamb has today submitted his Report to the Secretary of State on the Lamb Inquiry Review of SEN and Disability Information. In his accompanying letter, Brian outlines his recommendations and identifies further issues arising from evidence to the Inquiry so far. The Secretary of State’s reply accepts Brian’s recommendations and asks Brian to report to him again in July on issues relating to statements and the inspection framework.
The Lamb Inquiry was established as part of the Government’s response to the House of Commons Education and Skills Committee Report Special Educational Needs: Assessment and Funding. The Lamb Inquiry, under the chairmanship of Brian Lamb, the Chair of the Special Educational Consortium, will investigate a range of ways in which parental confidence in the SEN assessment process might be improved.
To advise him, Brian Lamb has brought together a diverse group of expert advisers and a broader reference group of professionals and parents. These two groups represent extensive networks and bring a wide range of experience to the process of evidence gathering.
The Lamb Inquiry has been asked to:
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consider a range of ways in which parental confidence in the SEN assessment process might be increased;
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commission and evaluate innovative projects in these areas;
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draw on the evidence of other work currently commissioned by the Department;
- take into account the evidence of the submissions to the two Select Committee Reports in 2006 and 2007.
The Inquiry started its work in March 2008 and reported in June 2008 on the commissioning of innovative projects and initial areas of focus for the Inquiry. The projects and a concurrent evaluation will run for the school year September 2008 to July 2009.
Brian Lamb wrote to the Secretary of State in December 2008 outlining concerns identified in discussions with parents’ groups. The Secretary of State’s reply outlines the action proposed by the Government. In his reply the Secretary of State asked Brian to undertake a review of SEN and disability information and to report to him in April 2009.
Brian Lamb will report in September 2009. The findings of the Inquiry will be available to the Ofsted SEN survey of 2009/10 and will help to inform national developments.
To send you views in to the Inquiry email: philippa.stobbs@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk
