The launch of the SEND Review Green Paper (HM Government, 2022a) raised significant concerns as to the future direction of SEND provision and potential implications for children, families, schools, communities and support services.
These include the de-professionalisation of Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCos), the disempowerment of parents and children, the question of post-16 provision, a proposed increase in bureaucracy and a lack of reference to inclusive leadership .
It also raises the issue of The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) provides not only that children with disabilities should not be discriminated against but also that they should be able to participate in the general education system.
Background to SEND policy and provision
We agree with the words of the then Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi (HM Government, 2022a), “Too many parents and carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) feel they aren’t heard. They are frustrated, and often feel there is no one held accountable for their children’s outcomes in the different parts of the system”. The Government’s review (HM Government, 2022a) has identified the following three key challenges facing the SEND and alternative provision system:
- The challenges and negative experiences families and professionals have in navigating the SEND system and alternative provision is not a positive experience for too many children, young people and their families
- Outcomes for children and young people with SEND or in alternative provision are consistently worse than their peers across every measure
- Despite the continuing and unprecedented investment, the system is not financially sustainable