Every Child Achieving and Thriving - Government publishes Schools White Paper

We welcome the long awaited publication of the Government’s Schools White Paper today. Its clear focus on inclusion, early support and the role of specialist expertise reflects priorities called for by the Association throughout the consultation processes and in our ongoing engagement with DfE colleagues.

We are particularly encouraged by the emphasis on building inclusive practice across schools and ensuring that children and young people receive timely, evidence-informed support, as well as early intervention to ensure long-term outcomes. 

It is especially welcome to see clear recognition of the contribution made by specialists, including Educational Psychologists. A system committed to inclusion must be underpinned by this kind of specialist knowledge and we look forward to further detail on the proposed “Experts at Hand” programme, particularly in how EP expertise will be accessed, coordinated and embedded locally.

As shared last week, we are also pleased to see continued commitment to growing the EP workforce by committing to the training of more EPs in England. Expanding capacity and ensuring a strong workforce strategy are essential to help children and young people thrive. We welcome ongoing dialogue with the Department for Education and remain committed to working collaboratively with members to ensure that implementation is informed by professional expertise and grounded in experience and evidence.