In February 2013 the Government published the Children and Families Bill. This will change the support that blind and partially sighted children and young people receive in education.
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Why are we campaigning?
In September 2012 the Government published draft SEN and disability provisions which were to form part of the Children and Families Bill. The Government outlined plans to integrate education, health and care provision, which sounds sensible. However, RNIB was worried about how the draft plans would impact on children and young people with a visual impairment and their families - specifically the quality and availability of services and support locally.
With the Bill having now been published, RNIB remains concerned that the needs of blind and partially sighted children and young people have not been fully addressed.
RNIB is concerned that:
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The Local Offer will impact on the quality and amount of support that some children and young people with sight loss receive
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Clarification is needed on who will be eligible for the Education, Health and Care Plans (EHC). We are concerned 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. We also need to know what support will be available for those not in receipt of an EHC
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We are worried that access to specialist support from QTVIs could be reduced if services aren't planned and delivered strategically.
Download our briefing for MPs on the Children and Families Bill (Word, 191KB)
What happens next?
RNIB is working in partnership through the Special Educational Consortium to ensure the right changes are implemented. "Our priority is to guard against a reduction in the legal entitlements available to blind and partially sighted children and young people" Steve Winyard, Head of Policy and Campaigns at RNIB
In the coming months, MPs and Peers will be working on the Bill before it becomes law. Since being introduced into the House of Commons, the Bill must now be approved by both Houses of Parliament before becoming law. It will go through a number of stages in both Houses. The stages are as follows:
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First Reading:This is a formal introduction, where the title of the Bill is announced and this takes place without debate.
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Second Reading: This is the first opportunity for MPs or Peers to debate the main proposals outlined in the Bill and express areas of significant concern.
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Committee Stage: At this stage, a Bill is considered in detail by committees of MPs in the Commons or Peers in the Lords. Changes are proposed and voted on.
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Report Stage: The Bill, including any amendments made at the Committee stage is then reported back to the House, where the whole House has a chance to suggest further changes.
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Third Reading: This is the final stage of the Bill and debates are usually short. No amendments can be made at this stage in the Commons; however, changes can occur in the Lords.
When the Bill has gone through the above stages in both Houses, it will return to the First House, in this case the House of Commons for the amendments made by the Second House to be considered. Once approved by both Houses, a Bill receives formal approval by the Monarch. After having received Royal Assent, it becomes Law and is now an Act of Parliament.
There are a number of opportunities to influence the Bill during its passage. RNIB is encouraging blind and partially sighted young people, children, their parents and professionals to campaign with us to highlight concerns arising from the Children and Families Bill and the impact that it will have on the lives of children and young people with sight loss. By lobbying members of the Bill committee and more broadly Parliamentarians either by writing to them or visiting their constituency surgery, we can work towards influencing the debate and ensuring blind and partially sighted children and young people's needs are met when the Bill becomes Law.
Stay up to date
To receive up-to-date information about the campaign and find out how you can get involved, contact the campaigns hotline on 020 7391 2123 or email campaigns@rnib.org.uk. Alternatively you can fill out the contact form on 'Influencing the Children and Families Bill' main page at www.rnib.org.uk/childrensbill