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Times
Wednesday September 20 | 2023 ALL THE NEWS THAT MATTERS LOCAL,
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New SEND plan offers fresh hope By Michelle Wood PLANS to improve special educational needs and disability (SEND) services in Kent are finally moving ahead. The welcome announcement that Kent County Council (KCC) has filled 80 muchneeded roles in its SEND services has come in conjunction with news that a new plan outlining changes necessary to support young people with SEND has been given the official go-ahead. The Accelerated Progress Plan (APP) has been agreed by the Department for Education (DfE) and NHS England. The APP plans to tackle nine key areas of weakness HEARTFELT HELP: The Hospice Run 2023 took place in Tunbridge Wells on outlined by Ofsted last year, while Sunday September 17. Supporters ran for Hospice in the Weald in the new building long-term improvements family fun run and half marathon, as wells as the classic 5k and 10k routes. into SEND provision. Among its goals, the new plan seeks to address the widely held view among parents that some secondary schools are “not inclusive” and unwilling to THE Markerstudy Group, which has the UK. It will provide a wide range accommodate children with SEND. offices in Tunbridge Wells, and the of insurance products to millions of Another target identified is for 80 Ardonagh Group’s personal lines consumers, including home and per cent of pupils with education, broking business, Atlanta, have motor insurance, transacting more health and care plans (EHCPs) to be merged to create a major new than £3billion in annual gross placed in mainstream schools by insurance platform. written premiums (GWP). December this year. Key performance The combined business, which is The transaction will be funded by indicators require that 80 per cent of subject to customary conditions new investment led by London-based
Ardonagh and Markerstudy create major player in personal lines industry
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(including regulatory approvals), will employ about 7,300 people across
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INSIDE: Your essential property guide – page 19
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