Have your say on SEND reform
The government has launched its biggest national conversation on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in a generation. Parents, caregivers and professionals are being invited to shape a reformed SEND system that crucially works for children and families.
Why does this matter for PANS and PANDAS?
Children/young people with these conditions often face significant challenges in education, including:
- Access to timely support during sudden onset of symptoms.
- Flexibility in attendance and exams when health fluctuates.
- Having medical needs recognised and supported
- Training for school staff to understand neuropsychiatric symptoms, promoting early identification and accurate assessments.
- Clear pathways for reasonable adjustments, including flexible learning options when needed.
- A multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) approach ensuring education, health, and social care work together to provide joined-up support for children/young people.
The government’s engagement focuses on five key principles: early intervention, local provision, fairness, effective practice, and shared working across education, health, and social care. These principles closely align with the needs of children, young people, and their families affected by PANS and PANDAS.
As a member of the Council for Disabled Children network, PANS PANDAS UK will be contributing to this engagement process, helping ensure that the needs of children/young people with PANS and PANDAS are considered in the wider conversation about SEND reform
