Management Information Sheet

In March 2014 the Children and Families Bill finally became an Act of Parliament. We've organised briefings across the county and prepared some resources to help you make sure that your school is ready for these changes.

We are holding a series of events for you to find out all you need to know about the changes and the work we are doing locally. Governors, Headteachers, Deputy Headteachers and SENCos are all invited to attend. At the events you will be able to discuss the changes with health colleagues that work in your local area, such as GPs and speech therapists. You will also be able to test out some of the new forms, processes and ways of working before they are finalised.

These events will be held on:

• Monday 2 June, 10am-12pm, Professional Development Centre, Kilham's Way, King's Lynn PE30 2HU
• Wednesday 4 June, 10am-12pm, Woodside Centre, 144 Woodside Road, Norwich NR7 9QL
• Friday 6 June, 10am-12pm, The Guildhall, Cage Lane, Thetford IP24 2DS
• Monday 9 June, 10am-12pm, Swaffham Assembly Rooms, Market Place, Swaffham PE37 7QH
• Thursday 12 June, 10am-12pm, The King's Centre, Queen Anne's Road, Great Yarmouth NR31 0LE
• Friday 13 June, 10am-12pm, Fakenham Community Centre, Oak Street, Fakenham NR21 9DY

You can book a place at one of the events by filling in our online registration form , or by calling 01603 679343.

Converting Statements of SEN to Education, Health and Care Plans

No new statements of SEN will be issued after the 1st of September. Under the new law they will be replaced by Education, Health and Care Plans. Children that have a statement now will have a plan in the future. The only exceptions will be children whose needs have significantly changed and they no longer need a statement, or a plan as they will be in future. We will use the annual review process to convert children's Statements of SEN to Education, Health and Care Plans.

Your school must have its local offer ready for September 2014

Your school has to set out what support you provide to pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. The new law refers to this as the local offer and you have to have it written for the 1st of September. The ambition is to make it easier for pupils and parents to find out what support is available.

We have created a template that you can use which will ensure you include all the information that you have to. This is attached below, along with an example of a completed template.

We recommend that you involve pupils and parents in developing your school's local offer. For further information about writing your local offer please contact Judith Carter .

More information

You will have recently received a letter from Children's minister Edward Timpson MP that sets out in more detail the impact on schools and what you need to do now. He has also written to colleges, local authorities and parents. You can read all the letters here.

You can also keep up-to-date with what is happening locally by visiting: SENDchanges. Please email any questions to the SENDchanges mailbox .