Solving the SEND crisis – Education Committee launches major inquiry

2 mins read

Friday 20 December 2024

Tags: education support, sen support, Education Health and Care Plan, SEND system

A cross-party group of MPs called the Education Select Committee has launches a new inquiry focused on finding short and longer term solutions to the crisis in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision in England.

Education Committee Chair Helen Hayes MP said: 

“In recent years, report after report has documented the failures of the SEND system to deliver the support children and their families need. Despite the best efforts of professionals in schools and local authorities, across the country, children are being let down. As a Committee we now want to move beyond simply pointing out the problems and focus on finding solutions that are realistic and practical for the Government to implement. “

Read more about the Inquiry and the call for evidence.

What does Contact think?

We welcome the Inquiry’s focus on solutions.

Contact has set out our solutions in our three SEND asks. We also have a briefing paper on how to improve accountability in the SEND system. Please use our ideas when submitting your evidence.

We have written to the Committee today asking for an evidence for parent carers and disabled young people.

Earlier this month, parent carer Laura spoke to Radio 5 Live about ways disabled children can be better supported in school. The segment starts at 1h10 minute into the programme. The Schools Minister is also interviewed.

How to share your views with the committee

To inform the Committee’s work on this inquiry, it welcomes written evidence submissions, via its website. The call for evidence is also available in alternative formats via the links below:

The deadline for submissions is 23.59 on 30 January 2025.