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
15 results
Clear
2 Conclusion Not Addressed
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
Publish a clear definition of inclusive education with rationale and good practice examples.
It is unacceptable that a clear definition of inclusive education is still lacking. The Department must publish a definition of inclusive education and rationale for this vision alongside examples of good practice across different phases of education and settings within … Read more
Government Response
The government details its commitment to reforming the SEND system and improving inclusivity through various initiatives but does not commit to publishing a departmental definition of inclusive education, rationale, or examples within the requested three months.
Department for Education
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4 Recommendation Not Addressed
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
UNCRPD principles and materials offer valuable guidance for developing inclusive education definition.
The UK is a signatory member of the UNCRPD (UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities) since 2008. It would be helpful in developing any definition of inclusive education for the Department for Education to draw on the … Read more
Government Response
The Government is committed to reforming the SEND system to deliver an excellent, inclusive education for every child and young person with a world class curriculum and highly trained, expert staff at every phase of learning.
Department for Education
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12 Recommendation Not Addressed
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
Publish statutory requirements for minimum resources and expertise for SEN support
The Department should publish statutory requirements mandating the minimum resources, specialist expertise, and equipment that every educational setting must have access to as a part of their offer of SEN support and in order to deliver an inclusive education. This … Read more
Government Response
The government's response details initiatives to improve inclusivity and expertise through RISE advisors, SENCO training, and strengthening teacher training, but it does not commit to publishing statutory requirements mandating minimum resources, specialist expertise, and equipment for educational settings as requested.
Department for Education
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22 Recommendation Not Addressed
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
Introduce mandatory, comprehensive SEND training for all Ofsted inspectors
The Department for Education should introduce mandatory, comprehensive SEND training for all Ofsted inspectors. The success of the new framework depends on inspectors having a deep understanding of SEND, including how to identify, assess, and evaluate inclusive practice. Without this … Read more
Government Response
The government stated Ofsted's new framework focuses on inclusion and highlighted the new SEND inspection framework launched in 2023, with ongoing work to refine it, but did not address the recommendation for mandatory SEND training for all inspectors.
Department for Education
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48 Recommendation Not Addressed
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
Mandate local authorities to provide travel training for 16-19 year olds with SEND.
The Department should review home to school transport and identify costs across regions. Additionally, the Department must mandate that all local authorities provide travel training programmes for young people with SEND in this age group to promote independence and safe … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the report and highlights its commitment to reforming the SEND system to deliver excellent, inclusive education, but does not address the specifics of reviewing or mandating home to school transport.
Department for Education
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52 Conclusion Not Addressed
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
Mandatory SEND-specific continuing professional development for educators remains absent.
It is deeply concerning that SEND-specific continuing professional development (CPD) is not mandatory. The education workforce must be consistently equipped with up-to-date, evidence-based knowledge through ongoing CPD to ensure an inclusive mainstream with high-quality support for children and young people … Read more
Government Response
The government's response focuses on early career teacher frameworks and a future review, failing to address the committee's specific concern about SEND-specific continuing professional development (CPD) not being mandatory for the broader education workforce.
Department for Education
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54 Conclusion Not Addressed
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
Mandate SEND continuing professional development for all educators via qualification or module incorporation.
SEND CPD should be made mandatory to ensure that all educators are equipped to meet the diverse needs of children and young people with SEND. This could be achieved through a nationally recognised supplementary qualification in SEND that all existing … Read more
Government Response
The government's response outlines updates to early career training frameworks and future reviews but does not commit to making SEND-specific continuing professional development (CPD) mandatory for all educators as recommended.
Department for Education
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55 Conclusion Not Addressed
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
SENCOs face significant challenges despite new National Professional Qualification for their role.
We welcome the introduction of the new National Professional Qualification (NPQ) for SENCOs as a positive step towards enhancing the leadership and expertise of SEND provision in schools and multi-academy trusts. However, further action is urgently needed. The scale of … Read more
Government Response
The government's response highlights the mandatory NPQ for SENCOs and a review of its content and delivery in 2025, but does not address the urgent challenges of excessive SENCO workloads, insufficient time, or lack of support.
Department for Education
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58 Recommendation Not Addressed
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
Publish guidance on appropriate SENCO-to-pupil ratios and develop national strategy for consistent achievement.
The Department should also publish guidance on appropriate SENCO- to-pupil ratios and develop a national strategy to ensure these ratios are achieved consistently across schools and multi-academy trusts. (Recommendation, Paragraph 219)
Government Response
The government acknowledges the report and highlights its commitment to reforming the SEND system to deliver excellent, inclusive education, but does not address the call to publish guidance on SENCO-to-pupil ratios.
Department for Education
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59 Recommendation Not Addressed
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
Introduce requirement for all new headteachers to hold a SEND-specific qualification within four years.
Within four years, the Department should introduce a requirement for all new headteachers to hold a SEND-specific qualification. Ensuring that SEND expertise is embedded at the highest levels of school or multi- 167 academy trust leadership will promote strategic oversight, … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the report and highlights its commitment to reforming the SEND system to deliver excellent, inclusive education, but does not address the recommendation to require SEND-specific qualifications for new headteachers.
Department for Education
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69 Conclusion Not Addressed
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
Uprate £6,000 SEND funding threshold annually and establish sustainable, equitable funding model
The current £6,000 notional threshold is outdated and inadequate. It must be automatically uprated each year in line with inflation to prevent further erosion of support for pupils with SEND. This is a necessary correction to address years of chronic … Read more
Government Response
The government's response highlights overall funding increases and support for local authorities but does not address the specific recommendations to uprate the £6,000 notional threshold with inflation, ringfence the funding, or set a clear trajectory for a new funding model.
Department for Education
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71 Recommendation Not Addressed
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
Undertake rigorous cost-benefit analysis of investing in a fully inclusive education system.
The Government should undertake a rigorous cost-benefit analysis to understand the short- and long-term economic benefits of investing in a fully inclusive education system. (Recommendation, Paragraph 254)
Government Response
The government acknowledges the report and highlights its commitment to reforming the SEND system to deliver excellent, inclusive education, but does not address the call for a cost-benefit analysis.
Department for Education
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75 Recommendation Not Addressed
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
Undertake comprehensive review of National Funding Formula to ensure fair, needs-based allocation.
A comprehensive review of the National Funding Formula is urgently needed to ensure funding is allocated fairly and reflects the real level of need across the country. The current formula fails to address historic underfunding, ignores rising inflation, does not … Read more
Government Response
The government highlighted an increase of £4.2 billion in schools and high needs funding, committed to supporting local authorities with SEND deficits, and allocated £740 million for high needs capital, but did not commit to a comprehensive review of the National Funding Formula.
Department for Education
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81 Conclusion Not Addressed
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
Require health sector financial investment and robust partnership arrangements by autumn 2026.
Crucially, this must be backed by appropriate financial investment from the health sector to meet statutory duties, provide timely access to therapies and assessments, and contribute equitably to joint commissioning arrangements. All areas should have a robust and fully operational … Read more
Government Response
The government states it is working with DHSC and NHS England to improve access to community health services and ensure allied health professionals are effectively deployed. However, the response does not address the recommendation for appropriate financial investment from the health sector or the establishment of robust, fully operational partnership arrangements by autumn 2026, stating only that full consideration will be given to the recommendations.
Department for Education
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83 Recommendation Not Addressed
5th Report - Solving the SEND Cris…
Publish joint statutory guidance on safe delegation of healthcare responsibilities in schools and trusts.
The Department for Education and the Department of Health and Social Care should issue joint statutory guidance clarifying how and when healthcare responsibilities can safely be delegated in schools and multi- academy trusts. This should be produced in collaboration with … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the report and highlights its commitment to reforming the SEND system to deliver excellent, inclusive education, but does not address the need for joint statutory guidance.
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
Parliament page
30 Apr 2026 From committee Letter to Minister of State for School Standards on response to SEND consultation dated 28.04.26
Parliament page
3 Mar 2026 To committee Letter from Secretary of State for Education on Schools White Paper and SEND Consultation, dated 23 February 2026
Parliament page
6 Jan 2026 Correspondence with the Royal British Legion on Solving the SEND Crisis, dated 8.12.25 and 18.12.25
Parliament page
6 Jan 2026 Correspondence with Minister for School Standards on supporting pupils with medical conditions dated 18.12.25
Parliament page
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
Parliament page
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
Parliament page
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
Parliament page
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
Parliament page
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
Parliament page