In addition to responding to Government’s proposals in the SEND Green Paper, we have been working to influence the wide range of educational reforms reforms that it has introduced since the General Election in May 2010. These range from the different kinds of learning environment, to how children are taught.

We want to ensure that deafblind children and young people have access to the best possible opportunities for learning and development.

Some of the biggest changes include:

• New academy schools
• Free schools
• Changes to guidance on behaviour and exclusions
• School complaints
• Legal aid for school exclusions
• School funding
• Post-16 education

Many of these have required changes to the law to make them happen. Sense has been working with ministers, MPs and Government officials on several bills as they move through Parliament, to make sure that they make provision for the needs of deafblind and disabled children and young people.

The Government often examines different aspects of the education system, and we keep in regular contact with the Department for Education to maximise every opportunity to influence discussions.