SEND emergency: Unviable system will end in lost generation of children without reform
- Routes To Potential
- Jan 19
- 3 min read
The PAC has determined that numerous families face significant challenges in accessing essential SEN support, with a system that inherently benefits parents and caregivers who are more adept at navigating a frequently chaotic and adversarial process, leading to pronounced inequalities. The report points out a geographical disparity, revealing substantial variations in the time families wait for EHC plans across the country (refer to the national heatmap above; national and regional heatmaps posted on X). Even families residing in adjacent local authorities experience vastly different outcomes—71.5% of EHC plans were completed on time in Lambeth, compared to only 19.2% in Southwark. Regions exhibiting particularly poor performance include the South, South-West, and East of England.
During the PAC's investigation, the Government attributed the increasing waiting times for EHC plans to rising demand. However, the Department for Education (DfE) lacks a comprehensive understanding of why this demand has surged, which hampers its ability to provide adequate support. Since 2015, an additional 1.14 million children have received SEN support in schools, marking a 14% increase, while the demand for EHC plans has skyrocketed by 140% in the same period. The DfE must enhance its comprehension of this demand before outlining how it will deliver support more effectively.
The DfE acknowledged to the PAC that it has not sufficiently investigated the obstacles to promoting inclusivity in mainstream schools. The report recommends that the DfE, within six months, define the provisions that children with SEN should expect, articulate how inclusive education will be achieved, and specify how schools will be held accountable. Additionally, earlier identification of SEN, along with enhanced teacher training and ongoing professional development, are crucial for fostering inclusive education. Furthermore, SEN performance data should encompass factors beyond just academic achievement.
In addition to failing to produce results for children and families, the Government could not present the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) with any potential solutions to the urgent financial difficulties many local authorities are experiencing due to ongoing and substantial overspending related to Special Educational Needs (SEN). The current system remains untenable, as the fragmented interventions in place do not contribute to establishing a financially sustainable framework, thereby posing a significant risk to the financial stability of certain local authorities.
“It is astonishing that 98% of tribunal cases are decided in favor of families, highlighting the unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles people are forced to navigate. The Government must take action that reflects the seriousness of this issue, yet our inquiry revealed a lack of urgency among officials to address it.”
nd precious energy fighting for the support they are legally entitled to, and local authorities to bear an unsustainable financial burden.
“The fact that 98% of cases taken to tribunal find in favour of families is staggering, and can only demonstrate that we are forcing people to jump through bureaucratic hoops for no good reason. It is long past time the Government took action matching the gravity of this situation. And yet our inquiry found no sense of urgency amongst officials to do so.
“The gravity of this situation is beyond measure. As a country, we are letting down numerous children, and this has been an ongoing issue for years. Concurrently, we are imposing a significant financial burden on certain local authorities, stemming from the very system that is failing. This report should act as a pivotal moment for the Government. Each day that passes without families receiving adequate support brings us closer to the emergence of a lost generation of youth.”
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