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The above measures amount to a substantial programme of work covering a wide range of areas. In all this activity there remains a need to consider more strategic issues and the direction in which SEN policy should be going. The new National SEN Advisory Forum will provide a valuable means of doing this.
The Forum has already agreed to consider the assessment and recording process. It will also give further consideration to the issue of inter-agency working which was a key issue highlighted in the Riddell Report. Its discussion in this area will be assisted by the Beattie Committee Report on post-school provision for children who need additional support, as well as the forthcoming report of the review of services for adults and children with learning disabilities. Its priorities will also take account of the findings of the Education Committee enquiry into special educational needs.
The Forum is keen to hear views from all those with an interest in special educational need and will be establishing its own web-site to a means of exchanging views. It will also consider other means of taking views on specific SEN issues. It will also commission a project to consider how the views of children and young people themselves can be made known to the Forum. This project will also draw together up-to-date advice for school staff to hear and take account of the views of children and young people. This will be complemented by work being undertaken by Enquire, the national SEN information and advice service, to involve children and young people in producing a guide to issues affecting their education.
As a result of consultation on the Riddell Report the Scottish Executive will examine how information is collected in future School Census exercises with a view to providing more accurate statistics across authorities.
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