Families of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are increasingly frustrated with what many describe as a broken system, failing to deliver meaningful outcomes for their kids. The grim diagnosis came from the National Audit Office (NAO), which recently released a report stating the current approach is financially unsustainable and needs urgent reform.
Over the past decade, funding for the SEND framework has grown significantly, reaching more than £10 billion annually. Yet, the number of children needing additional support continues to climb—currently affecting around 1.9 million kids across England. This situation raises numerous concerns about the capacity of local authorities to meet rising demands effectively.
The NAO's report highlighted alarming statistics, indicating over 40% of councils might declare bankruptcy due to excessive spending on high-needs budgets. This precarious financial state is echoed across many regions, with numerous councils struggling to provide adequate support amid rising demand and inadequate funding.
One particularly pressing issue is the processing time for Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans, which are supposed to be delivered by councils within 20 weeks. Astonishingly, only half of these plans are completed on time, exacerbation the struggles of families who are often left waiting for necessary support.
Councillors and officials, like Cllr Andrew Reid from Suffolk County Council, voiced their disappointment following the NAO report, acknowledging the extensive challenges local authorities face when delivering effective SEND services. Reid pointed to the broken nature of the national system, stating, "We continue to invest millions... but we operate within a broken and crumbling national system. The funding we receive has not kept pace with demand, so the system... is under enormous strain."
Local MPs have also expressed their concerns. Jack Abbott, representing Ipswich, highlighted the complex and urgent need for reform, stressing the importance of prioritizing early identification and intervention strategies to aid families and children drastically hampered by the current SEND provisions.
Adding to the chorus of criticism, the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) called the current SEND support system's state "crisis point". General Secretary Pepe Di’lasio emphasized the dire reality: "Funding has simply not kept pace with rising demand and is wholly insufficient to meet needs, resulting in delays for the most vulnerable children. There are also not enough places in special schools to meet demand."
The challenge of funding is particularly acute at the local level. For example, Suffolk County Council is slated to overspend its Dedicated Schools Grant by £101.2 million by the fiscal year's end, which would amount to around 65% of its saved-up funds being wiped out. With the government’s statutory override set to expire in 2026, councils may find themselves trapped between fiscal irresponsibility and the dire needs of their constituents.
Countless stories underline the gravity of these issues. Claire Dyson, mother of Dylan, who has been diagnosed with autism, illustrated the trials families face. After waiting nearly ten years for her son’s official diagnosis, the support offered by schools was lackluster at best. "It’s emotional and mental battle — but you have to smile through it and get through it, as you've got this little person there who needs you to fight," she explained.
Calls for reform have grown louder with each report. The NAO suggested several actionable steps, advocating for improved incentives and developing long-term plans for inclusivity. They stressed the need to integrate services more effectively, especially communication between educational institutions and health services.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson acknowledged the pressures on councils and responded to the NAO's recommendations. She affirmed the government's commitment to turning around the beleaguered SEND situation, admitting no quick solutions are possible. The government is also implementing new report-card systems to replace traditional Ofsted verdicts. These changes aim to provide fairer assessments of how schools handle inclusion and support for SEND students — changes deemed necessary by many headteachers facing these unprecedented challenges.
With mounting evidence of the difficulties within the SEND system, local councils like Derbyshire are stepping up to address their shortcomings. They recently outlined plans to introduce innovative technology aimed at improving efficiencies with EHC assessments. Meanwhile, they tirelessly advocate for more funding from the government to meet the rising demands.
Yet, all eyes remain fixated on the forthcoming government budget announcement, where many hope to see concrete actions aimed at resolving the crisis brewing within England's SEND framework. Stakeholders from all corners are poised to seize this moment as potentially pivotal, urging for comprehensive solutions rather than piecemeal fixes to what is overwhelmingly clear: the system is struggling, and drastic changes are needed.
