Write to your MP!

The Children and Families Bill has entered Parliament, but proposals need to be significantly improved to make sure that the needs of blind and partially sighted children and young people are properly addressed. We are concerned that some children and young people with sight loss won't get the vital support that they need, unless we can persuade the Government to make improvements to their plans. Email to ask your MP to write to the Minister for Children.

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As you know, the Government recently published its Children and Families Bill; I am writing to ask for your help to clarify some points that I'm really concerned about regarding the impact that the proposed changes could have on the support provided to children and young people with sight loss who have special educational needs (SEN).

I am worried about who will be eligible for the new Education, Health and Care plans which will replace Statements. I'm worried that a broad definition of complex needs could leave some children and young people who have severe sight loss as a single disability without statutory protection; this could mean that they won't get the support that they need. I believe that blindness constitutes a complex need in itself and so should be included.

Do you know if it is the Government's intention that all children and young people with severe sight loss would receive an Education, Health and Care plan?

Will visually impaired children with SEN be entitled to an Education, Health and Care plan and vital specialist support from birth where appropriate to their assessed needs?

The Children and Families Bill seeks to abolish School Action and School Action Plus. I'd like to know what support the replacement scheme will provide to children and young people with sight loss. Where appropriate to their needs, will the replacement guarantee children and young people with a visual impairment continued access to specialist support from Local Authority Visual Impairment Services?

I would really appreciate it if you could write to the Minister for Children on my behalf to get clarification on these issues.

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Write to your MP!

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