Solving the SEND Crisis

Education Committee Open Inquiry
Opened: 20 Dec 2024 Parliament page
A number of recent reports have set out in detail the extent of the crisis in the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system, which is letting down children and their families, creating intense pressure on local authority funding and on schools. This inquiry will focus on how to achieve … Read more
27 Recommendations
68 Conclusions
4 Reports
7 Oral sessions
17 Letters
7 Events
Activity timeline 36 events
30 Apr
2026
Correspondence
30 Apr
2026
Correspondence
3 Mar
2026
Correspondence
6 Jan
2026
Correspondence
6 Jan
2026
Correspondence
11 Dec
2025
Report published
9 Dec
2025
Correspondence
12 Nov
2025
Correspondence
12 Nov
2025
Correspondence
11 Nov
2025
Correspondence
11 Nov
2025
Correspondence
28 Oct
2025
Correspondence
Oral evidence sessions 7 sessions
1 Jul 2025
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Solving the SEND Crisis
Alison Ismail · Department for Education Catherine McKinnell MP · Department for Education
10 Jun 2025
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Solving the SEND Crisis
Conrad Bourne · The Mercian Trust Daniel Constable-Phelps · St Mary’s Primary and Nursery School Dr Peter Gray · SSCYP (Strategic Services for Children & Young People) Dr Susana Castro-Kemp · UCL Faculty of Education and Society (IOE) Jo Hutchinson · Education Policy Institute Nicole Dempsey · Dixons Academies Trust
13 May 2025
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Solving the SEND Crisis
Adam Sproston · Ofsted Georgina Downard · Independent Provider of Special Education Advice (IPSEA) Lucy Harte · Care Quality Commission (CQC) Sharon Chappell · Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO)
29 Apr 2025
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Solving the SEND Crisis
Alison Stewart · South West London Integrated Care Board Janet Harrison · The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists Lisa O’Connor · Association of Educational Psychologists Ms Marie Gascoigne · Better Communications CIC Professor Ian Kessler · Kings College London Sarah Walter · NHS Confederation
11 Mar 2025
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Solving the SEND Crisis
Catherine McLeod MBE · Dingley's Promise Clare Howard · Natspec Joanna Hall Katie Nellist Madeline Thomas Margaret Mulholland · Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) Miss Lucy Bowerman Ms Annamarie Hassall MBE · The National Association for Special Educational Needs (nasen) Sarah Cobb
25 Feb 2025
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Solving the SEND Crisis
Claire Dorer OBE · National Association of Independent Schools and Non-Maintained Special Schools Councillor Kate Foale · County Councils Network Dr Luke Sibieta · Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) Phil Haslett · F40 Rob Williams · National Association of Head Teachers
28 Jan 2025
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Solving the SEND Crisis
Agnes Agyepong · Global Black Maternal Health Amanda Allard · Council for Disabled Children Jo Harrison · National Network of Parent Carer Forums (NNPCF) Miss Imogen Steele · Contact Mrs Hayley Harding · Let Us learn Too Ms Katie Ghose · Kids Tania Tirraoro · Special Needs Jungle Ltd
Recommendations & Conclusions
26 results
Clear
6 Recommendation Accepted
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
Set out plan for effective deployment of skilled professionals in inclusive mainstream education.
As part of delivering a fully inclusive mainstream, the Government must set out how it will deliver, over time, a system in which highly skilled professionals, including educational psychologists and speech and language therapists, are less tied up in undertaking … Read more
Government Response
The government commits to working with DHSC and NHS England to improve access to community health services and ensure allied health professionals are more effectively deployed. It is investing over £31 million to train over 600 new educational psychologists and has introduced a degree apprenticeship route for speech and language therapists.
Department for Education
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10 Conclusion Accepted
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
Insufficient funding and resources hinder adequate SEN provision and support
Insufficient funding and resources and a mismatch between local authority responsibilities and powers negatively impacts the adequacy of ordinarily available provision and SEN support. We have heard from school leaders and SENCOs that without sufficient resources, settings are struggling to … Read more
Government Response
The government responds to the observation about insufficient funding by detailing its significant investments in schools and high needs funding, including an increase of £4.2 billion by 2028-29, £740 million in high needs capital for 2025-26, and support for local authorities managing SEND deficits.
Department for Education
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13 Conclusion Accepted
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
Unsustainable EHC plan levels highlight insufficient early support and parental distrust
Current levels of EHC plans are unsustainable; however, the solution to this cannot be to remove the statutory entitlements from a system which lacks accountability in many other areas and in which parents already have so little trust and confidence. … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the importance of early intervention, noting it is central to the early years agenda and the Best Start in Life strategy. It outlines ongoing actions to make inclusive practice standard, increase funding for providers, fund Best Start Family hubs, and provide early language interventions, all aimed at supporting children earlier to potentially reduce the need for EHC plans.
Department for Education
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14 Conclusion Accepted
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
Provide SEND support as soon as need is identified, not reliant on EHC plans
Support should be provided as soon as a need is identified, rather than only once an EHC plan is in place. This would bring England in line with good practice found internationally, for example in in Ontario, Canada, where entitlement … Read more
Government Response
The government states it is already making changes to improve early support for children with SEND through initiatives like embedding inclusive practice, increasing funding, funding family hubs, and early language interventions. They will continue to ensure access to proven programmes.
Department for Education
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16 Conclusion Accepted
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
Meaningful parental involvement is crucial for successful SEND system outcomes and trust
Parents and carers of children and young people with SEND often feel excluded from the processes that affect their children’s education and support. However, meaningful and collaborative parental involvement is essential to the success of the SEND system. When parents … Read more
Government Response
The government shares the view on the importance of parental involvement and outlines plans for extensive engagement through a Ministerial development group, regional and online sessions, and ministerial roundtables. This engagement will inform future reforms and will be followed by a formal consultation after a White Paper publication.
Department for Education
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18 Conclusion Accepted
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
Families of children with SEND lack trust in the system due to poor communication
Children and young people with SEND, and their families, have little trust and confidence in the SEND system, often shaped by adverse experiences. Inadequate communication and engagement from the Department with parents and carers and their organisations about future reforms, … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the need for partnership and outlines specific engagement activities, including a Ministerial development group, regional and online sessions, and ministerial roundtables, to rebuild trust and inform future reforms, followed by a formal consultation.
Department for Education
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20 Conclusion Accepted
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
New Ofsted framework presents opportunity to enhance school inclusion
We have heard that accountability pressures relating to narrower measures of attainment and behaviour may incentivise schools and multi-academy trusts to adopt non-inclusive practices in order to meet narrow performance metrics. The introduction of the new Ofsted inspection framework presents … Read more
Government Response
The government states that Ofsted's new inspection framework, effective since November, includes an explicit focus on inclusion. It also highlights the new SEND inspection framework launched in January 2023, which aims to improve outcomes for children with SEND and refine the framework.
Department for Education
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21 Conclusion Accepted
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
Engage with Ofsted to strengthen inclusion criteria for SEND pupils within new inspection framework
The Department must urgently engage with Ofsted to ensure that the inclusion criterion within the new inspection framework is robust, measurable, and reflective of the experiences of all pupils, particularly, those with SEND. This should include incorporating metrics such as … Read more
Government Response
The government confirms Ofsted's new framework, effective since November, explicitly focuses on inclusion and that a new SEND inspection framework was launched in January 2023. The Department continues to work with Ofsted/CQC to refine the framework in line with wider SEND reforms, indicating ongoing engagement to ensure robustness.
Department for Education
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23 Conclusion Accepted
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
Engage parents of SEND children during area inspections on local inclusive practices
Area SEND inspections should engage with parents across the locality to gather the perspective of parents of children with SEND on the admissions policies and inclusive practices of local authorities, schools and multi- academy trusts in the area. (Recommendation, Paragraph … Read more
Government Response
The government notes that a new SEND inspection framework launched in January 2023. A recent review identified a need for greater family involvement, and the Department is continuing to work with Ofsted/CQC to refine the framework, implying that parental engagement will be strengthened.
Department for Education
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24 Conclusion Accepted
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
Insufficient accountability for inconsistent SEND support and EHC plan delivery
We have heard about significant variability in the provision of SEN support and inconsistencies in the implementation of EHC plans across education settings. The limitations of the Local Government Ombudsman’s powers mean there is insufficient accountability for the delivery of … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the issues raised regarding accountability and states they will work closely with the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman and the Tribunal to determine their roles within a reformed SEND system.
Department for Education
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28 Recommendation Accepted
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
Mandate systematic monitoring of SEND Tribunal outcomes and support for failing local authorities
The SEND Tribunal must remain as a backstop of the accountability process. The Department for Education and Department of Health and Social Care must systematically monitor SEND Tribunal outcomes and identify local authorities that repeatedly fail to comply with their … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the SEND Tribunal's role as a backstop and refers to the new SEND inspection framework, launched in January 2023, as its approach to monitoring local area performance and taking action for non-compliance, rather than committing to new systematic monitoring or data framework mandates.
Department for Education
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29 Conclusion Accepted
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
Incorporate SEND Tribunal outcomes into area inspections to lower ratings for non-compliance
The outcomes of SEND Tribunal cases must be factored into area SEND inspections, with clear scrutiny of how repeated non-compliance reflects the quality and effectiveness of local provision. Where local authorities fail to uphold their statutory duties, this should directly … Read more
Government Response
The government highlights the new SEND inspection framework (launched Jan 2023) for improving accountability and outcomes, noting DfE can act when local areas fail duties, and states DfE continues to refine the framework in line with wider SEND reforms, without explicitly confirming that tribunal outcomes will directly lower inspection ratings.
Department for Education
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34 Conclusion Accepted
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
ELSEC and NELI initiatives require sustained commitment and resources to avoid temporary gains.
ELSEC and NELI are positive initiatives, but far more must be done to sustain and build on the progress they are achieving. Without ongoing commitment and resources, any gains risk being temporary and insufficient to address long-term needs. (Conclusion, Paragraph … Read more
Government Response
The government commits to continuing fully funded access to the NELI programme until AY 2028/29, funding specialist early language leads, and ensuring education and healthcare providers collaborate on evidence-based early interventions, indicating ongoing commitment and resources.
Department for Education
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36 Conclusion Accepted
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
Inconsistency in SENIF and Disability Access Fund eligibility criteria undermines equitable early years SEND access.
There is a clear need to improve the consistency and effectiveness of the SENIF across early years provision. At present, practice varies significantly between local authorities, with differences in how funding is managed and allocated. This means there is inconsistency … Read more
Government Response
The government commits to increasing funding for providers to support children with SEND and making improvements to how funding is allocated as part of wider SEND reforms, aiming to improve inclusion and early intervention.
Department for Education
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39 Conclusion Accepted
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
Ensure Best Start Family Hubs incorporate routine SEND screening and allocate dedicated funding for staff training.
The Department for Education must ensure that Best Start Family Hubs incorporate routine SEND screening and awareness as a core part of their early years services, supported by targeted training for staff and childcare providers to enhance early identification and … Read more
Government Response
The government highlights its existing 'Best Start in Life' strategy, which includes funding Family Hubs with trained professionals, early language interventions, and ongoing funding for SENCO training, but does not commit to introducing routine SEND screening or a new dedicated, ring-fenced funding stream for SEND-related training within Family Hub budgets.
Department for Education
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40 Conclusion Accepted
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
Embed commitment for Best Start Family Hubs to include dedicated SENCOs, EPs, and SLTs.
The commitment for every Best Start Family Hub to have a dedicated SENCO should be embedded within the SEND workforce strategy and extend to educational psychologists and speech and language therapists. (Recommendation, Paragraph 176)
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation by detailing significant investment of over £31 million to train 600 more educational psychologists by 2025, and states it is working with DHSC and NHS England to improve access to speech and language therapy, affirming support for these roles within Family Hubs.
Department for Education
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41 Recommendation Accepted
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
Introduce new inclusivity requirements for all early years settings linked to funding.
There is a need to increase access to CPD and ensure that staff from all agencies in every early years setting has the expertise to undertake the effective early identification of SEND needs. Through the Best Start in Life strategy … Read more
Government Response
The government details its existing 'Best Start in Life' strategy, including ongoing training for early years SENCOs, and significant investment in training additional educational psychologists, along with work to improve access to speech and language therapy, but does not commit to introducing a new set of national inclusivity requirements for all early years settings.
Department for Education
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44 Conclusion Accepted
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
Further education provision for post-16 SEND learners lacks adequate policy focus and funding.
Greater policy focus is required on further education provision for young people with SEND. At present, both FE and SEND policy frameworks give limited consideration to the specific needs of learners post-16, and funding arrangements often fail to provide adequate … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the need for greater policy focus on post-16 SEND provision, stating its recently published Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper commits to improving support for students with SEND, including investment in specialist advice and expanded mental health services in colleges, and supporting colleges to embed SEND provision.
Department for Education
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46 Recommendation Accepted
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
Ensure stronger Ofsted focus on inclusivity and outcomes for post-16 SEND learners.
When Ofsted considers the accountability of post-16 education settings, it should ensure a stronger focus on inclusivity and outcomes for young people with SEND. (Recommendation, Paragraph 191)
Government Response
Ofsted has set out an explicit focus on inclusion in their new framework, gathering evidence on factors from school culture to assessment of need which came into effect on 10 November.
Department for Education
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57 Recommendation Accepted
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
Mandate at least one Senior Leadership Team member holds SENCO qualifications in all schools.
To strengthen leadership on SEND, the Department should, in the short term, mandate that at least one member of the Senior Leadership Team in every school and every multi-academy trust holds SENCO qualifications. (Recommendation, Paragraph 218)
Government Response
The government states that the NPQ for SENCOs, now mandatory, addresses the recommendation by providing essential knowledge and skills for SENCOs in mainstream schools.
Department for Education
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63 Conclusion Accepted
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
System risks losing experienced staff, leaving vulnerable pupils without essential support
These measures are essential. Without decisive action, the system will continue to lose experienced staff, leaving vulnerable pupils without the support they need and deserve. (Recommendation, Paragraph 226) 168
Government Response
The government is establishing the School Support Staff Negotiating Body (SSSNB) through the Employment Rights Bill to negotiate pay, terms, and advise on training and career progression for support staff, aiming to address recruitment and retention challenges.
Department for Education
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66 Conclusion Accepted
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
Shortages of educational psychologists and allied health professionals undermine quality of SEND support
Shortages of educational psychologists and allied health professionals, including speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists are significantly undermining the availability and quality of SEND support. These workforce gaps delay assessments, restrict access to essential interventions, and place additional … Read more
Government Response
The government is investing over £31 million to train 600 more educational psychologists by 2025, promoting degree apprenticeships for speech and language therapists, and working to improve access and effective deployment of allied health professionals.
Department for Education
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68 Conclusion Accepted
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
Current funding for SEND inclusion and £6,000 threshold remain significantly inadequate
It is clear that the current levels of funding provided to schools and multi- academy trusts are inadequate to support the effective inclusion of pupils with SEND. The notional £6,000 threshold is insufficient to deliver good SEN support, placing unsustainable … Read more
Government Response
The government highlights a £4.2 billion increase in overall schools and high needs funding by 2028–29, extends the Statutory Override for local authorities until 2027–28, and is providing £740 million high needs capital for 2025–26, with further details on deficit support to follow.
Department for Education
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72 Conclusion Accepted
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
Prioritise strategic funding deployment for early intervention in SEND to improve outcomes.
Funding must be strategically deployed to deliver the best outcomes for children and young people with SEND. This should include prioritised investment in early intervention. Timely and targeted support is essential 170 and can prevent some needs such as speech … Read more
Government Response
The government is prioritising early intervention through its Best Start in Life strategy, increasing funding for early years providers, extending funding for the Nuffield Early Language Intervention until 2028/29, and funding specialist early language leads.
Department for Education
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77 Conclusion Accepted
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
Engage with local government to develop fair approach for partially writing-off SEND deficits.
We believe that a reset of local authority finances through a partial write- off of SEND-related deficits could provide a necessary step towards long- term stability. However, this must be approached with care, recognising the progress made by some local … Read more
Government Response
The government will work with local authorities to manage SEND system deficits and will extend the Statutory Override until 2027-28. Further details on supporting local authorities with historic and accruing deficits will be provided through the upcoming Local Government Finance Settlement.
Department for Education
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84 Recommendation Accepted
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
Appoint a dedicated national SEND lead within DHSC to drive health system accountability.
The Department of Health and Social Care must urgently appoint a dedicated national SEND lead to drive accountability and coordination across the health system. This role must be empowered and mandated to provide coherent strategic leadership on the delivery of … Read more
Government Response
The Department is working to improve access to community health services for children with SEND and ensure allied health professionals are more effectively deployed, but does not directly address the need for a national SEND lead.
Department for Education
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Government Response AI assessment · 95 of 27 classified
Accepted 26
Accepted in Part 12
Acknowledged 26
Deferred 14
Not Addressed 15
Rejected 2
Total 27 recs + 68 conclusions
Correspondence 17 letters
30 Apr 2026 From committee Letter to Secretary of State on response to SEND consultation dated 30.04.26
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30 Apr 2026 From committee Letter to Minister of State for School Standards on response to SEND consultation dated 28.04.26
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3 Mar 2026 To committee Letter from Secretary of State for Education on Schools White Paper and SEND Consultation, dated 23 February 2026
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6 Jan 2026 Correspondence with the Royal British Legion on Solving the SEND Crisis, dated 8.12.25 and 18.12.25
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6 Jan 2026 Correspondence with Minister for School Standards on supporting pupils with medical conditions dated 18.12.25
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9 Dec 2025 To committee Letter from Secretary of State for Education on Solving the SEND crisis, dated 28.11.25
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12 Nov 2025 From committee Letter to Secretary of State for Education on Schools White Paper, dated 11.11.25
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12 Nov 2025 From committee Letter to Secretary of State for Education on Schools White Paper, dated 11.11.25
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11 Nov 2025 From committee Letter to Joanna Parry National Officer Education and Children’s Services, UNISON on Solving the SEND Crisis Report dated 11.11.25
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11 Nov 2025 To committee Letter from Joanna Parry National Officer Education and Children’s Services, UNISON on Solving the SEND Crisis Report dated 10.10.25
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28 Oct 2025 To committee Letter from Chris Coghlan MP Member of Parliament for Dorking and Horley on Solving the SEND Crisis, dated 16.10.2025 and response dated 28.10.2025
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2 Sep 2025 To committee Letter from Joint Unions on Solving the SEND Crisis, dated 28.05.25
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22 Jul 2025 To committee Letter from Association of Educational Psychologists on Funding for training of educational psychologists, dated 07.07.25
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24 Jun 2025 To committee Letter from Adam Sproston HMI, Ofsted and Lucy Harte, Deputy Director, Multi-agency Operations, Care Quality Commission on Joint local area SEND inspections, dated 12.06.25
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24 Jun 2025 To committee Letter from Adam Sproston HMI, Ofsted on Multi-academy trust inspections and Complaints about Schools, dated 16.06.25
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20 May 2025 To committee Letter from Minister for School Standards on SEND White Paper 27.03.25
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11 Mar 2025 To committee Letter from Chair to Catherine McKinnell MP, Minister of State for School Standards, on Government SEND Policy, dated 11 March 202
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