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Abstract
An investigation by MPs on the state of SEN support in England has revealed ‘a system in disarray, mired in red tape, and lacking funding’.
The report from MPs on the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee warns that families no longer have any confidence in a SEN system where 98% of tribunals are awarded in favour of families of SEN children.
The Association of School and College Leaders said this week that it is ‘hard to imagine a more damning report’ and labelled the current state of SEND support as ‘truly lamentable’
An investigation by MPs on the state of SEN support in England has revealed ‘a system in disarray, mired in red tape, and lacking funding’.
The report from MPs on the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee warns that families no longer have any confidence in a SEN system where 98% of tribunals are awarded in favour of families of SEN children.
The Association of School and College Leaders said this week that it is ‘hard to imagine a more damning report’ and labelled the current state of SEND support as ‘truly lamentable’
The investigation found that many local authorities are facing effective bankruptcy because their spending on SEN has outstripped government high needs funding for years and has led to ‘substantial deficits’.
The SEN high needs deficit is now estimated to be £4.6bn. Its impact has up until now been deferred under ‘statutory override’ rules, but these expire in March 2026 when the deficit is set to hit local authority books hard.
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