Labour's proposed overhaul of the special educational needs and disabilities (Send) system in England promises a tailored service for school-age children, but questions remain over funding and implementation. The Department for Education aims to replace the current 'one size fits all' approach, which has 'traumatised too many families', with a system offering 'experts at hand' to assess individual needs.
Parents and teachers are concerned about the resources available for such a significant revamp, especially given that Whitehall budgets were fixed last year under a three-year deal. Much of the pre-announcement discussion has focused on the need to control the rising costs of supporting pupils with special needs.
The new system will place extra pressure on schools and local authorities to meet the needs of the 1.7 million children currently in the Send system, with many more expected to seek education, health and care plans (EHCPs) over the next decade. EHCPs are essential for accessing extra services.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson faces significant hurdles in securing the necessary funding and ensuring that the overhaul does not exacerbate existing strains on the system. The success of the reforms will depend on the government's ability to balance ambition with fiscal reality.
