Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 78
78
Acknowledged
SEND not a shared priority across government departments, burdening the education system.
Conclusion
The current failure to embed Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) as a shared priority across government departments is not just a policy oversight, it is a profound injustice to some of the most vulnerable children in our society. It is evident that SEND is not sufficiently seen as a priority by the health system. The education system is increasingly shouldering the weight of responsibilities for supporting children and young people with SEND that should, in part, be met by health services. This chronic imbalance places unsustainable pressure on schools, multi- academy trusts and local authorities and undermines the principle of joint responsibility set out in the SEND Code of Practice. The erosion of funding to Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), alongside ongoing structural upheaval within the health sector, risk further weakening the capacity of health services to meet their statutory duties. If we are serious about improving outcomes for children with SEND, then coordinated investment, shared accountability, and genuine cross-departmental collaboration must become non- negotiable. Without it, the burden will continue to fall disproportionately on schools and local authorities, compromising outcomes for children and placing additional strain on an already stretched education system. (Conclusion, Paragraph 275) 172
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the need for shared working across education, health, and care services, describing ongoing collaboration to improve access to community health services and ensure allied health professionals are effectively deployed. They also mention a new SEND inspection framework and state they will give full consideration to the Committee's recommendations.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
Shared. Education, health and care services should work in partnership with one another, local government, families, teachers, experts and representative bodies to deliver better experiences and outcomes for all our children. The Department is working closely with DHSC and NHS England to improve access to community health services, such as speech and language therapy, for children and young people with SEND. As set out in the 10 Year Health Plan for England, building on the successes of programmes such as Early Speech and Language for Every Child, we will ensure that education and healthcare providers work together with other local services to plan and deliver evidence-based early interventions for children. We will focus on ensuring allied health professionals, such as speech and language or occupational therapists, who are vital for supporting children and young people with SEND, are more effectively deployed spending time supporting children not on bureaucracy and admin. Ongoing health and social care engagement is essential in delivering effective education and support to children and young people with EHCPs. The SEND Tribunal currently makes non-binding decisions in relation to health and social care appeals, where there is also an appealable educational element. We know that in the majority of cases, these recommendations are followed by health bodies. We will, however, give full consideration to the Committee’s recommendations. A new SEND inspection framework launched in January 2023, with all local areas to be inspected by 2027 to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND. This inspection covers the role of the LA and the ICB. Where a local area does not meet its duties, DfE can take action that prioritises children’s needs and supports local areas to bring about rapid improvement.