The conclusion of Parliament's Education and Skills Select Committee'sJuly report on special educational needs (SEN) was unequivocal: thesystem is "demonstrably no longer fit for purpose".
Alongside many recommendations on special schools, teacher training'statementing and inclusion, it called for a rethink of the Government'soverall policy. The report was welcomed by children's professionals, butthe Department for Education and Skills' recent response has left manyfrustrated (Children Now, 18-24 October).
"The Government's response seems to overly validate the status quo,"said Andy Rickell, executive director for diversity, politics andplanning at disability group Scope. "It's not just a missed opportunity,it's poor government. You have the select committee report and therecent Ofsted report on SEN (Children Now, 19-25 July). The firstindicated that the system wasn't working; the second said how it shouldwork. But the Government is just not prepared to do what is needed."
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