Remedial steps for failing education authorities
The Department for Education should consider what remedial steps can be put in place to assist in circumstances where, whether through underfunding or underperformance, local education authorities are failing to respond adequately to the need for alternative education provision for children who may pose a risk to others. Reforms currently being developed to Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and alternative provision may be part of the necessary solution.
- The government response states the Department for Education is the lead department, expects to complete implementation by September 2029, and references the SEND Reform consultation, voluntary standards on non-school alternative provision, Area SEND inspections, and at least £3.7 billion in high needs capital funding between 2025/26 and 2029/30 (Government Response to Phase 1 of the Southport Inquiry, CP 1623, Home Office, July 2026).
How was this evidence gathered?
Response
Accepted
Response
AcceptedThe Department for Education (DfE) is the lead department and expects to complete the implementation of this recommendation by September 2029. Progress and next steps:
- As set out in the Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Reform consultation, which ran from February to May this year, DfE intends to clarify the role of alternative provision, including provision delivered outside mainstream, special and alternative provision schools.
- Last year, DfE published voluntary standards and guidance on non-school alternative provision ahead of introducing mandatory national standards in due course; these include expectations on safeguarding and oversight.
- DfE already works with local areas to secure improvement where systemic weaknesses in local authority commissioning and oversight of alternative provision are identified through Area SEND inspections.
- DfE is investing at least £3.7 billion in high needs capital funding between 2025/26 and 2029/30.
Progress Timeline
Government response published 2 July 2026 (CP 1623). The government accepted this recommendation; the lead department reports implementation is in progress.
Awaiting government response. Phase 1 report published 13 April 2026.