Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 7
7
Acknowledged
Systemic failures in SEND provision result in poor experiences and outcomes for families.
Conclusion
The SEND system is not delivering for children and young people or their families, with poor experiences and outcomes becoming the norm in many places across England. Rising need coupled with limited school resourcing, stretched local authority budgets and a mismatch between local authority responsibilities and their powers has resulted in a costly and adversarial system. Over a decade on from the 2014 reforms, the key challenges are evident: preparedness of the education workforce, lack of parental trust and confidence in the system, limited accountability across schools, 155 multi-academy trusts, NHS services and local authorities, disjointed working across the various agencies and families, limited capacity and the inadequacy and unsustainability of funding. (Conclusion, Paragraph 48)
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the committee's report rightly highlights the deep-rooted issues within the SEND system. It states it is committed to reforming the system as part of its Plan for Change and is already taking action through investment in school places, improved teacher training, and Best Start Family Hubs.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Committee’s report rightly highlights the deep-rooted issues which have plagued the SEND system for too long and has resulted in poor experiences and outcomes for children and young people with SEND and their families. As part of our Plan for Change, we are committed to reforming the SEND system to deliver an excellent, inclusive education for every child and young person with a world class curriculum and highly trained, expert staff at every phase of learning. The Government is already taking action to make sure that evidence-based support is available as routine, without a fight, for every child and young person who needs it - from significant investment in school places for children with SEND, to improved teacher training, to our Best Start Family Hubs in every local area.