Letters to the Editor: Private sector not ‘big bad wolf'

Sir Paul Ennals recently commented that SEN provision hangs in the balance and that a new delivery model needs to emerge to stop specialist services being “hived off to private sector providers”.

I was disappointed for this compelling piece from a respected colleague to end with the sense that the private sector is the big bad wolf.

I am the first to recognise the distinct ideological and practical differences between the private and public sector, but neither of them is perfect.

Our world has shifted and it is at our peril that we avoid or ignore the combined role of the voluntary, public and private sector and the growing role and influence of academies.
 
Our biggest concern should be about avoiding poor quality service and ensuring that we find the best solutions based on evidence, regardless of where they come from.

Sir Paul said he hoped something new would emerge from the ashes of current services. I hope it is a voluntary sector that is collaborative and joined up with the private sector and able to make the new marketplace work for children and young people.