England’s Special Educational Needs Crisis: A System in Desperate Need of Reform

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England’s system for supporting children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is faltering, with MPs describing it as a postcode lottery in dire need of funding and reform. The findings, presented by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), highlight a system that is failing families and placing unsustainable financial pressure on local councils.  

 

In its critical report, the PAC reveals that thousands of children are being let down by inequities in the system. Families face significant struggles to access the essential support their children need, while councils are pushed towards financial ruin. Over the past nine years, the number of young people receiving SEND support in state schools has risen by 140,000, reaching 1.14 million. However, budgets have not kept pace with this growing demand, creating what MPs have called a "crisis."  

 

For children with the most complex needs, education, health, and care (EHC) plans are a legal entitlement. Yet the number of these plans has surged by 140% to 576,000, exacerbating the strain on local authorities. This increase in demand has led to escalating financial deficits. According to the Society of County Treasurers (SCT), SEND-related deficits among English councils have reached £4 billion and are projected to grow to £5.9 billion this year.  

 

Cllr Roger Gough, spokesperson for children's social care at the County Councils Network, emphasized the urgency of addressing this crisis. "While government has committed to reform, it is vital that it is done quickly and correctly. Both councils and families can ill-afford to wait," he stated. Gough urged the government to implement a comprehensive reform package within the next year and to clarify its plans to address council deficits.  

 

Luke Sibieta, a research fellow at the Institute for Fiscal Studies, pointed out the disconnect between funding and demand. "We've seen a rapid rise in the number of pupils with the most severe special needs over the last 6-7 years. Numbers have gone up by around 70%, and funding has increased by 60%, so it hasn’t met the rapid increase," he said. Sibieta added that this shortfall places significant pressure on mainstream school budgets, leaving little for other resources.  

 

Beyond financial concerns, the PAC report highlights the uneven standard of SEND services across England. The disparity in support creates a postcode lottery, where families in neighboring areas experience vastly different outcomes. For example, in 2023, only 50% of EHC plans were issued within the legal 20-week timeframe. While 71.5% of plans were completed on time in Lambeth, neighboring Southwark managed just 19.2%.  

 

The committee warned of a "lost generation" of children who risk leaving school without the support they desperately need unless reforms are enacted swiftly. Among its seven key recommendations, the PAC calls for an urgent collaboration between the government and local authorities to address immediate financial challenges, clearer definitions of what SEND provision children can expect, and better accountability for schools. It also urges earlier identification of SEND and improved teacher training within the next six months.  

 

Without immediate and effective intervention, England’s SEND system may continue to fail its most vulnerable children and young people, leaving families and councils grappling with an untenable situation.

 

Based on a report by Sky News 2024-01-17

 

 

[Purdey]

Not enough money will do this. How can governments get more money? Taxes. 

[Will B Good]

 

What the hell has Starmer being doing since July to let things get in this state?

[Bkk Brian]

13 minutes ago, Purdey said:

Not enough money will do this. How can governments get more money? Taxes. 

Yep, exactly more tax's on the schools including SEND provision schools 

 

Legal claim against private school VAT hits High Court
Families are seeking to take the government to the High Court over 20 per cent tax on private school fees, supported by the Independent Schools Council

The impact of VAT on private school fees
The families warn that the impact of the policy is already being felt “far and wide”.

According to the claimants, children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are facing “real uncertainty”.

The ISC and the NASUWT teaching union have previously called for the government to undertake an impact assessment on the effects of the policy on the SEND system.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/another-legal-challenge-made-to-vat-independent-schools-policy

[Will B Good]

4 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Yep, exactly more tax's on the schools including SEND provision schools 

 

Legal claim against private school VAT hits High Court
Families are seeking to take the government to the High Court over 20 per cent tax on private school fees, supported by the Independent Schools Council

The impact of VAT on private school fees
The families warn that the impact of the policy is already being felt “far and wide”.

According to the claimants, children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are facing “real uncertainty”.

The ISC and the NASUWT teaching union have previously called for the government to undertake an impact assessment on the effects of the policy on the SEND system.

https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/another-legal-challenge-made-to-vat-independent-schools-policy

 

The government doesn’t fund SEND requirements in the private sector.

[JonnyF]

30 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

 

What the hell has Starmer being doing since July to let things get in this state?

 

Locking up social media posters, opposing rape gang inquiries, wrecking the economy, freezing pensioners, ruining farmers lives to name just a few. 

 

He's been busy. 

[Bkk Brian]

15 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

 

The government doesn’t fund SEND requirements in the private sector.

Not true if the child has an EHCP. but many don't so what's that got to do with the Gov charging VAT 20% on SEND schools meaning many parents can now not afford to send their children there and there are no state schools offering the same provision in their area? Explain?