Dr Sam Parrett CBE said:
Elevare Civic Education Group welcomes today’s publication of the Schools White Paper - Every Child Achieving and Thriving - and the wider SEND Review and consultation.
FE colleges, sixth forms and post-16 providers have been awaiting clarity on these reforms for some time. We are encouraged by the DfE’s clear ambition to strengthen outcomes for young people as they prepare for adulthood and employment.
Throughout this period of consultation and change, our focus remains on the wellbeing, development and success of our learners, staff and communities. As a civic education group with a strong post-16 SEND offer, we see daily the breadth and complexity of need among young adults, transitioning into college from school settings.
Post-16 provision cannot be an afterthought. It must be flexible and inclusive, recognising that learners arrive with diverse experiences, aspirations and additional needs.
We welcome the overall emphasis on earlier and more consistent support, improved access to specialist expertise and clearer pathways for learners with SEND. A system that enables young people to receive the right support at the right time is essential at every stage of education.
The focus on smoother transitions and stronger local partnerships reflects what we know to be true: post-16 success depends on effective collaboration. Seamless movement from school into college or training, and onward into employment, apprenticeships or higher education, requires coordinated working between providers, local authorities, employers, health services and families.
As civic institutions rooted in our communities, we believe partnership will determine the success of these reforms. No single organisation can address the complexity of SEND alone. Shared accountability, clear local frameworks and collective leadership will be key to building a more inclusive and coherent post-16 system.
Equally, the recognition of workforce development as central to reform is also important. Colleges and post-16 providers are supporting a growing number of learners with increasingly complex needs. Sustained investment in professional development, alongside strengthened initial teacher education and the sharing of best practice, will be vital to ensuring staff feel confident and well-equipped.
We will fully engage with the consultation over the coming weeks – to ensure we share our insight and expertise ‘on the ground’. We remain committed to ensuring that every young person in our post-16 settings, whatever their starting point or level of need, is supported to thrive and to progress confidently into adult life.
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