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<p>For pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), teachers are
best placed to know how their needs can be most effectively met to ensure that they
continue to make progress, even if they are not able to attend school due to following
COVID-19 guidance and the law. The requirement for schools to use their ‘best endeavours’
to meet the special educational needs of their pupils remains in place.</p><p> </p><p>Schools
should work collaboratively with families, putting in place adjustments so that pupils
with SEND can successfully access remote education alongside their peers. This expectation
is set out in guidance for schools, available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools</a>.</p><p>
</p><p>To provide greater clarity, we have published a temporary continuity direction,
which makes clear that schools have a duty to provide remote education for state-funded
school-age pupils, including those with SEND, where they are unable to attend school
due to the COVID-19 outbreak. This came into effect on 22 October 2020. An explanatory
note is available here: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/923539/Remote_Education_Temporary_Continuity_Direction_-__Explanatory_Note.pdf"
target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/923539/Remote_Education_Temporary_Continuity_Direction_-__Explanatory_Note.pdf</a>.</p><p>
</p><p>Where a child or young person has an Education, Health and Care Plan, it remains
the duty of the local authority, and any health commissioning bodies, to secure or
arrange any special educational and health care provision specified in the plan. We
recognise that it may become very difficult to do so in certain circumstances, including
where the child or young person is self-isolating. In these circumstances, decisions
on how provision can be delivered should be taken on a case-by-case basis, informed
by the factors relevant to the individual case. This includes, for example, the types
of services that the child or young person can access remotely, such as online teaching
and remote therapy sessions.</p><p> </p><p>To support the hard work of schools in
delivering remote education, we have made £4.84 million available for Oak National
Academy to provide video lessons in a broad range of subjects for reception up to
year 11. Specialist content for pupils with SEND is also available. This covers communication
and language, numeracy, creative arts, independent living, physical development and
early development learning. Additionally, Oak offers therapy-based lessons and resources
across occupational, physical, sensory, and speech and language therapy.</p><p> </p><p>As
part of over £195 million invested to support access to remote education and online
social care, over 340,000 laptops and tablets are being made available this term to
support disadvantaged children in years 3 to 11, whose face-to-face education may
be disrupted.</p><p> </p><p>This supplements over 220,000 laptops and tablets and
over 50,000 4G wireless routers, which have already been delivered during the summer
term. Schools, trusts, and local authorities are responsible for distributing the
laptops and tablets and are best placed to know which children and young people need
access to a device.</p><p> </p><p>Schools are expected to lend these laptops and tablets
to disadvantaged pupils who would not otherwise be able to access remote education
in years 3 to 11, including those with SEND. Schools will also be able to order laptops
and tablets for disadvantaged children across all year groups who are shielding as
a result of official or medical advice, all year groups who attend a hospital school
that is required to close, and those completing their key stage 4 at a further education
college that is required to close.</p><p> </p><p>The department has announced £37.3
million for the Family Fund this year to support over 75,000 families on low incomes
raising children with disabilities or serious illnesses. This includes £10 million
to specifically address needs arising from the COVID-19 outbreak.</p><p> </p>
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