Comment on the 2014 SEND reforms

Charlotte Ramsden, ADCS President, said:

“The SEND reforms in 2014 were rightly ambitious, raising expectations and extending support from birth to 25 years, yet they are not delivering the intended outcomes for children. Despite record levels of spend there is growing frustration and high levels of parental dissatisfaction. I’m sure all stakeholders would agree we cannot go on as we are. Reform is long overdue; the system in its current form has resulted in perverse incentives at odds with inclusion in mainstream schools towards specialist provision and unsustainable levels of demand for education, health and care plans, resulting in significant high needs funding deficits, which could threaten the financial stability of local authorities. Additional funding alone cannot solve the fundamental systemic challenges we now face in meeting our statutory duties. The national reviews of the SEND and children’s social care systems and the forthcoming Education White Paper provide opportunities for us to collectively consider how we best support children and young people with additional needs and disabilities to thrive. Creating an inclusive mainstream education system that meets the needs of all learners is an important part of this, as is creating a partnership system that is focussed on the holistic needs of children and young people, to enable them to attend the most appropriate setting, as close to their home and community as possible, while also supporting them to maximise their independence and be ready for a high-quality adult life.”

ENDS

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