The National Audit Office (NAO) has today (24th October 2024) published a report highlighting serious concerns with the support system for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The key findings include:
- Financial Unsustainability: The SEND system is financially unsound, with local authorities accumulating increasing deficits. By March 2026, it is projected that 43% of councils will face deficits near or exceeding their financial reserves, contributing to a total shortfall of up to £4.9 billion
- Inadequate Capacity and Delays: Many schools are struggling with a lack of capacity to meet the rising demand for SEND services, which has led to long waiting times and a loss of confidence among families in the system
- Poor Outcomes for Children: Despite increased government funding, outcomes for children with SEND remain subpar. There is a heavy reliance on Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans, which tend to favour families with the resources to navigate the system, leaving many others without the support they need
- Urgent Need for Reform: The NAO is calling for comprehensive reform of the SEND system, focusing on making mainstream schools more inclusive and addressing the long-term financial sustainability of SEND provision
The report underlines the necessity for swift government action to address these critical issues and ensure that children and young people with SEND receive better and fairer support.
Read the report in full here – Support for children and young people with special educational needs – NAO report
Kathy Leatherbarrow
Early Years Consultant