The Department for Education has admitted that the country’s special educational needs and disability system is not working as well as it should, following a scathing report by MPs.
The Commons Education Select Committee had warned that poor implementation of SEND reforms to support children and young people had thrown families into crisis, set councils up to fail and left schools struggling to cope.
“We agree that the SEND system is not working as well as it should, for a number of reasons. We are committed to addressing [this] so that the system works better overall,” the DfE said in its response to the MPs’ report, which the committee has published today - more than six months overdue.
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The department says it is to carry out a large-scale, value-for-money study of SEND provision to provide information on the outcomes achieved and costs of different types of settings for children and young people with education, health and care plans in England.
Concerns over SEND support
The department said that the publication of a survey for this report had been delayed by the coronavirus pandemic but that this would be published as soon as possible.
It also said it is working with Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission on the future of SEND area inspections - after MPs called for the system to be strengthened.
Currently, each local authority area gets a one-off SEND area inspection by Ofsted and the CQC, with a return visit if shortcomings have been identified.
Ofsted has already revealed it is working on plans for a continuous cycle of SEND inspections in future.
Tes revealed last year that more than half of the first 100 SEND area inspection reports had found failings.
The Education Committee report has said reforms in 2014 which introduced education, health and care plans were the right ones but that young people were being let down by poor implementation.
Commenting on the government’s response to the committee report, its chair Robert Halfon said: “I am pleased the government recognises the system ‘must improve’, as it is clear that many of the provisions for those with SEND are not working as they should be.
“The legislation had good intentions but has just not worked in practice. Families continue to face a treacle of bureaucracy, a postcode lottery of provision, buck-passing and confusion in a system that breeds conflict.
“The committee will consider the government’s response in detail over the coming weeks and will be following up with the secretary of state in the autumn.
“The coronavirus pandemic has brought new challenges for young people with SEND. Our committee will continue to be a voice for children and families to ensure they receive the support they both need and deserve.”
