In February 2022 DfE announced that they would be continuing to deliver targeted support for families and parents of children with SEND and SEND services - including providing funding that will directly support schools and colleges to work with pupils with SEND, through the new Universal Services contract.
Today (20th May) DfE SEND division has said, 'We are now delighted to announce that the National Association for Special Educational Needs (Nasen), on behalf of the Whole School SEND consortium, and with the support of The Education and Training Foundation (ETF) and the Autism Education Trust, will deliver this contract, backed by almost £12 million for three years.
The Universal Services contract will help the school and FE workforce to support children and young people with SEND - ensuring that a broad range of needs, including autism, are identified earlier and met more effectively, and making sure that preparation for adulthood provision is delivered from the earliest stages, to support children and young people transition into adulthood and employment. This will be key to delivering the Government’s levelling up ambitions and the aims of the SEND Review.'
More information and resources for this programme will be available here.