Analysis

Further delay sparks fears over much-anticipated SEND Review

Amid a third delay of the government review of special educational needs and disability provision, experts call on policymakers to use the time to ensure plans improve co-ordination of support across the children’s system.
The number of children with an education, health and care plan is at its highest level since they replaced statements of special educational needs in 2015/16. Picture: Seventyfour/Adobe Stock
The number of children with an education, health and care plan is at its highest level since they replaced statements of special educational needs in 2015/16. Picture: Seventyfour/Adobe Stock

Delays to the government’s review of support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) could lead to a “watered down” final publication, leaving the sector in limbo, experts argue.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson launched the review in September 2019, promising recommendations would be published the following autumn. However, as the Covid-19 pandemic struck the deadline was extended to “spring 2021” and later pushed back to June.

As the second and third deadlines came and went, children’s minister Vicky Ford told the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) annual conference in July that the review was “months away” from publication, indicating it had been put on hold until after the summer recess.

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