SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan

Brian chaired the Lamb Inquiry into Parental Confidence in SEND (2009) which informed the development of the current SEND framework. He is an advisor to the National Sensory Impairment Partnership and has worked with a number of local authorities and parents’ groups on implementing the SEND reforms.  He is also a Visiting Professor of Special Educational Needs and Disability at the University of Derby, a member of the Advisory Board of the SEN Policy Group, and a trustee at the Ewing Foundation.  His recent publications include 'The Future of SEND Legislation in England' in Leading on Inclusion: The Role of the SENCO (Eds. Beaton, Codina, Wharton). 

Christopher is an independent academic and author, policy analyst and adviser to educational organisations with a particular interest in SEND policy and implementation. His previous roles include lecturing in SEND at the University of Birmingham (with lead responsibility for developing and introducing the National Award for SEN Co-ordination) Canterbury Christ Church University, and the University of London’s Institute of Education.

Christopher chair’s The SENCO Forum national e-community and engages in lobbying government to define and regulate the role of SENCOs more carefully, and to ensure that SENCOs are appropriately trained and deployed in schools, early years settings and post-16 provision.

Christopher is a long-standing family advocate, a member of Birmingham’s Special Educational Needs Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS)