DfE told to come clean on its SEND reforms plan

The education committee has demanded government set out its plans and timescales for major SEND reforms after reports a white paper is on the table.

Committee chair Helen Hayes said while the Department for Education has submitted evidence to the ongoing SEND inquiry, it made “no reference to an upcoming white paper or other major policy announcement”.

“In light of recent media reports suggesting the imminent publication of a white paper on SEND, we ask you to write to us setting out your plans and the anticipated timescales for any policy announcements on SEND over the next six months,” Hayes said.

In a letter to schools minister Catherine McKinnell, published yesterday, Hayes said the committee’s SEND inquiry had an “unprecedented” number of contributions, including from parents of children with additional needs.

Over 880 pieces of evidence was submitted to the committee which reflects the “huge impact” the SEND system has on children’s daily lives, she said.

This week the committee heard concerns about Ofsted’s plans on inclusion and wider funding from sector experts, as well as from youngsters.

Hayes said SEND is the “most significant challenge facing the education sector”.

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson has set out her intention to oversee “system-wide” reform.

The Guardian reported last week that a SEND white paper is being drawn up. One of the big problems is funding, with councils having high needs deficits that could total nearly £5 billion by 2026.

Half of councils have warned they will become insolvent when an accounting measure keeping the deficits off their balance sheets expires next year.

Local authorities have been allowed to keep the deficits off their main balance sheets since 2020, under a measure called a “statutory override”. This prevents them from effectively declaring bankruptcy.

The government has still not said what it will do when the override expires next year.

A DfE spokesperson said: “The evidence is clear that the SEND system has been on its knees for years – with too many children not having their needs met and parents forced to fight for support.

“It will take time, but through our Plan for Change we are determined to spread opportunity, restore the confidence of families up and down the country and deliver the improvement they are crying out for.

“We are already making progress, with £1 billion extra investment in day-to-day services, £740 million directed to encourage local authorities to create more specialist places in mainstream schools and the Curriculum and Assessment Review which will look at barriers that hold children back from the best life chances.”