Youth Services in the UK
An overview of youth services; the statutory duties and policy in different parts of the UK as well as a summary of some of research into the impacts of youth work.
An overview of the Government's proposed integrated national SEND and alternative provision system, and some initial reaction
The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and Alternative Provision Green Paper (414 KB , PDF)
In September 2019, the Government announced a review of the system of support for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in England. The system supports children and young people aged 0-25, and aims to unify support across education, healthcare, and social services.
The current system was introduced in 2014, and five years after its inception the review aimed to take a wholesale look at how the system was functioning, with particular focus on issues such as:
A separate call for evidence on the operation of the SEND funding system ran between May-July 2019.
The review was published in March 2022, as part of a green paper consultation: SEND review: right support, right place, right time. The Government has said the Covid-19 pandemic affected both the timing of the review and its content, with the pandemic seen to exacerbate existing difficulties in the system.
The review proposes a single system to cover SEND and also alternative provision, which supports pupils who, because of exclusion, illness or other reasons, would not otherwise receive suitable education.
The green paper envisages, among other proposals:
A consultation has been opened on the green paper proposals, with submissions up to 1 July 2022.
This briefing includes background on the existing SEND and alternative provision systems, and includes an overview of the green paper proposals.
The following Library briefings may help for further background:
The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and Alternative Provision Green Paper (414 KB , PDF)
An overview of youth services; the statutory duties and policy in different parts of the UK as well as a summary of some of research into the impacts of youth work.
This briefing provides an overview of applicant and entrant numbers for medical, dental, and healthcare students across the UK. It also sets out the student support arrangements in place in each part of the UK, and covers the NHS bursary reforms in England.
Updated following publication of October 2024 National Audit Office (NAO) report on SEND system