Today’s report from Isos Partnership, commissioned by the County Councils Network and Local Government Association, has rightly taken a step back and looked at the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) system in its entirety.
It is undeniable that outcomes for children and young people are not improving, parental satisfaction and confidence is low, and that there is unsustainable pressure on high needs budgets. It is right that we engage in an open and honest debate about where we go from here.
The report correctly identifies the rise in the number of children with complex needs, a mainstream education system that has become less inclusive, the loss of wider support services, and the expanded entitlements in the Children and Families Act 2014 for the unacceptable pressures currently faced by children and families. Equally, we support their conclusion that the challenges in the SEND system are not the result of any group behaving in unreasonable ways, but rather a result of major unresolved tensions within the framework.
NCB’s vision is one where education settings, closely supported by local authorities and health services, are able to include disabled children and children with special educational needs and meet their needs at the earliest possible point. This will require a major cultural shift towards an inclusive education system that prioritises the progress and well-being of all children. We are delighted to see the focus from the new government on the role of SEND inclusion within mainstream education, including a crucial review of the curriculum and assessment. Further government intervention is required to ensure adequate resourcing, training, sufficient specialist and allied services, and effective accountability measures for schools, Integrated Care Boards, and local authorities.
However, we must build this future together. Lengthy and expensive Tribunal cases benefit no one, but we have to show that EHC plans and specialist provision are not the only route to high-quality support and a welcoming place for disabled children and those with SEN. It is through early intervention and a laser-like focus on inclusive practice that this case will be made. Until then, legal protections and remedies are a vital backstop for when things go wrong.
You can read the full report on the Isos Partnership website here.