Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 44
44
Accepted
Further education provision for post-16 SEND learners lacks adequate policy focus and funding.
Conclusion
Greater policy focus is required on further education provision for young people with SEND. At present, both FE and SEND policy frameworks give limited consideration to the specific needs of learners post-16, and funding arrangements often fail to provide adequate resources to meet those needs. This lack of targeted attention and investment contributes to significant gaps in provision and support, leaving many of these young people effectively overlooked within the education system. Without dedicated and sufficient funding for SEN support beyond the age of 16, mainstream further 164 education settings will struggle to provide the adjustments, specialist staff, and tailored resources necessary to meet learners’ needs and achieve good outcomes. This is incompatible with the Government’s vision for inclusive mainstream education. Without targeted reform and investment, the FE sector risks falling behind other parts of the education system. (Conclusion, Paragraph 189)
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the need for greater policy focus on post-16 SEND provision, stating its recently published Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper commits to improving support for students with SEND, including investment in specialist advice and expanded mental health services in colleges, and supporting colleges to embed SEND provision.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Government’s ambition is that all young people with SEND receive the right support to succeed in post-16 education and as they move into adult life. Post-16 education offers a range of pathways covering academic technical and vocational pathways, including, apprenticeships, and supported internships all of which can benefit SEND learners by providing flexible, personalised routes to help build confidence, gain relevant skills and progress toward employment or further study. The recently published Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper sets out our vision for a world-leading skills system which breaks down barriers to opportunity for all, meets learner and employers’ needs; widens access to high-quality education and training and improves people’s lives. In October we published the Post-16 Education and Skills white paper which highlighted high-quality teaching and inclusivity, stressing that no learner should be left behind. It commits to improving support for students with SEND and mental health needs, including investment in specialist advice and expanded mental health services in colleges. ... We will also continue to support colleges to embed SEND provision into curriculum planning and delivery, ensuring accessibility across all pathways. We are simplifying and strengthening vocational pathways, introducing new, rigorous qualifications so that all learners, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), will have access to high-quality study pathways and a clear line of sight to employment or further study.