As part of the consultation on the review of provision of children with Special Educational Needs we feel it is important to let you know how we sought your views during the consultation period, which ended on 7 May 2007.
What we have done so far
- Consultation documents and leaflets have been posted directly to all parents of children with a statement of Special Educational Needs.
- Consultation documents have been sent to a range of other stakeholders including Head Teachers, Chairs of Governors, neighbouring boroughs’ admissions teams, MPs, Councillors.
- Consultation leaflets for every parent have been sent to all schools for immediate distribution.
- Leaflets have been distributed and are available at local libraries and Access Points.
- A downloadable version of the consultation document and leaflet is available on this website.
- The review will be highlighted as part of a feature article in the April issue of Lewisham Life Magazine.
- In order to enhance the quality of the consultation we have commissioned an independent company called The Place Group who have specialist skills in consultation within the Education Sector to run focus groups and a public event.
- A range of focus groups were organised to consider the proposals closely from different perspectives. These groups were by invitation and were co-ordinated by the Place Group.
- Nearly 30 focus groups were run, not simply to discover the extent of agreement with consultation proposals but also to explore why there was agreement or not and to hear respondents’ further ideas.
- There have been two larger consultation events, one for the public and one for professionals in the field.