The UK government has unveiled plans to allocate billions of pounds to improve inclusivity for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in mainstream schools across England. The announcement includes a commitment of £1.6 billion over the next three years specifically for schools, early years settings, and colleges, alongside an additional £1.8 billion aimed at increasing access to specialist services, such as speech and language therapy.
Funding Breakdown and Future Reforms
This funding initiative is part of a broader overhaul of the SEND system, with comprehensive reforms expected to be detailed in a forthcoming Schools White Paper. Teaching unions have expressed skepticism about the adequacy of the proposed funding, with some claiming it merely scratches the surface of what is necessary to address longstanding underfunding issues.
Recent leaks regarding the government’s plans have revealed contentious proposals, including the reassessment of children’s education, health, and care plans (EHCPs) after primary school and again following their GCSEs. This move raises concerns that fewer children may retain their EHCPs as they transition to secondary education, potentially jeopardising the support they require. The first group of Year 6 students subjected to this review would begin secondary school in 2030.
Disability advocacy groups have voiced apprehension over these changes, highlighting that such assessments could disrupt essential support at critical junctures in a child’s educational journey.
Reactions from Key Stakeholders
The announcement prompted a range of responses from various stakeholders. Matt Wrack, General Secretary of the NASUWT teaching union, critiqued the funding as insufficient, arguing that £1.6 billion translates to a mere few thousand pounds per educational setting, which he deemed “ridiculous” for a system overhaul.
Conversely, Luke Sibieta from the Institute for Fiscal Studies acknowledged the funding as a “reasonably significant change” but cautioned that effective reform would be a “long and complicated process” requiring a new funding model to ensure resources are directed to where they are most needed.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer asserted that the reforms aim to provide families with “tailored support built around their child’s individual needs.” Meanwhile, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson described the initiatives as a “watershed moment” for SEND, assuring that no effective support would be withdrawn during the transition.
Calls for Clarity and Comprehensive Support
Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott has called for clarity regarding the new funding sources, insisting that families deserve guarantees that no child with an EHCP will see their support diminished. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey emphasised the importance of early intervention and universal screening as part of any SEND reforms.
The National Association of Head Teachers welcomed the funding principle but stated it would consult with school leaders to assess whether the proposed amount is truly sufficient. Paul Whiteman, the union’s General Secretary, reinforced the importance of ensuring that all children receive appropriate support, regardless of their educational setting.
Jon Sparkes, chief executive of learning disability charity Mencap, praised the increased funding as a positive step towards inclusivity, reiterating the need for early identification of children’s needs and adequate support backed by law.
Enhancing Teacher Training
Part of the funding package includes £200 million earmarked for training teachers to effectively support students with SEND. This initiative is lauded as the most significant SEND training offer ever introduced in English schools. Claire Robertson, head teacher at Cherry Fields Primary School, highlighted the necessity for mainstream schools to embrace inclusivity, advocating for more comprehensive training resources for staff to better support students.
In addition to enhancing support for SEND students, the government aims to halve the attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers by the time children born during this parliamentary term complete secondary education.
Full details of the government’s proposed reforms will be released on Monday, as stakeholders await the official confirmation of these significant changes.
Why it Matters
The government’s commitment to increasing funding for SEND represents a critical shift in policy aimed at fostering inclusivity in education. However, the effectiveness of these reforms will largely depend on the execution of the proposed changes and the ability to ensure that all children receive the necessary support tailored to their individual needs. As educational institutions navigate these transformations, the voices of parents, educators, and advocates will play a pivotal role in shaping an inclusive future for all students.
