CYP Now - MPs highlight 'shocking' numbers of Neet teenagers with SEN

Almost a third of young people with statements of special educational needs (SEN) at the age of 16 are not in education, employment or training (Neet) by the time they turn 18, despite massive government spending, a report by the Public Accounts Committee has warned.

The government spent around £640m on SEN services for 147,000 students aged 16 to 25 in 2009/10. But the report found that "vital support" for young people is not always prioritised in an overly complex system.

It also found that "patchy" SEN assessments are creating a postcode lottery of provision, while a lack of data about providers’ performance mean that young people and their families lack access to information to help them decide which provision is best for them.

Three-quarters of local authorities do not give parents any information about the performance of schools, further education (FE) colleges and specialist providers.

Margaret Hodge, chair of the committee, said the proportion of young people with SEN who end up Neet is shocking.

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