This new research report by Ofsted shows that some pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) in mainstream schools are not getting enough help to support their learning and development, even when external services are involved.
The study finds that specialist support from multi-agency services often complements the support offered by schools. Although families and school staff value this external support, it is not always timely or implemented appropriately.
The report also highlighted long wait times and high levels of bureaucracy in the education, health and care plan process, with some families forced to pay for additional services themselves.
Further issues included gaps in teachers’ or staff’s understanding of pupils’ needs, negatively affecting children’s experiences particularly when they lacked EHC plans. Some schools were teaching a curriculum not properly sequenced or well matched to pupils’ needs.
Through different case studies, the research identifies important issues that influence how in-school support, therapies and other multi-agency services are provided for pupils with SEND.