News

SEND reform needed to avoid ‘lost generation of children’, MPs warn

MPs are calling on the government to overhaul England’s "unviable" special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system to improve support for children and families and avoid councils going bankrupt.
Picture: AdobeStock

Members of the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC) fear that without reform a “lost generation of children” will be created.

Their report warns that the current SEND system is blighted by “an often chaotic and adversarial process liable to produce marked inequalities”, which is particularly impacting support for families unable to navigate council and health services processes.

Their report found widespread regional variation in the quality of support for children across England, with "particular poor performance" among those in the south, southwest and the east regions of England.

Families in neighbouring council areas are also seeing marked differences in the quality of support received.

Register Now to Continue Reading

Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's Included

  • Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month

  • Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector

Register

Already have an account? Sign in here


More like this