Special Educational Needs and Disability Provision Condemned In Official Report

October 23, 2019 7:06 PM

Derby North MP Candidate Greg Webb at a Derby SchoolThe House of Commons Education Select Committee have today published a report into Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND). It makes for damning reading on the government' handling of SEND.

The report was compiled following an 18 month enquiry and takes a rigorous look at all aspects of SEND provision. It concludes that the sector as a whole is fundamentally underfunded, but that this isn't the only problem.

The report concludes that:

  • Schools and local authorities are failing to meet the needs of children and young people with SEND
  • Local authorities have been subject to insufficient oversight and safeguards in how they are delivering services
  • The Department for Education is failing to take enough responsibility for SEND and cannot account for how it has spent SEND funding
  • Too often inspectorates, parents and even the courts are having to get involved to ensure effective provision

Derby North MP candidate Greg Webb said: "Children with SEND have been a soft target in the schools funding crisis. Support staff and teaching assistants they depended on have been made redundant. It shouldn't be up to parents pushing authorities in court to get children the services they need - and are entitled to.

"The Conservative government is starving local councils. How can they support children with the most needs without the right funding?"

Liberal Democrat Shadow Education Secretary Layla Moran MP said: "Liberal Democrats demand better for our children. We will give councils thousands of pounds a year extra for every child with the most complex needs, so they can deliver the support children deserve on time. And we will create a new National SEND Strategy, stopping councils from cutting corners and getting our public services to work together in the best interests of each child."