On 16 December the final report of the Lamb Inquiry into special education needs was launched. The inquiry was set up in March 2008 and has already produced a number of interim reports.The inquiry team’s conclusion is that no significant changes to the current SEN framework need to be made, but that the way in which it is implemented needs a significant overhaul.
In the final report one of the key points is that entitlements and help for children with SEN and Disabilities should be automatic, not something parents have to fight to obtain for their children.
The final report contains 51 recommendations, including the launch of a national helpline for parents, Governors are specifically mentioned in the report (Chapter 5 accountability) and are the subject of two specific recommendations:
1. New governor training should give a high profile to governors’ responsibilities for SEN and disability, with a particular focus on progress and outcomes (recommendation 32)
2. Statutory guidance to governing bodies and independent appeals panels on exclusions should be strengthened to require a review of whether the headteacher had regard to the guidance on SEN and disability (recommendation 42)
The Secretary of State has accepted all the recommendations (the majority of which do not require any legislative changes). The final report can be downloaded from the Lamb Inquiry website