Ian Sollom MP supports Ed Davey’s plans for SEND reform and call for the Government to work with Liberal Democrats to ensure the system is fixed

This week Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey, alongside Education Spokesperson Munira Wilson, wrote to the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Education regarding the Government’s plans for Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) reform. Sir Ed also raised the issue in Prime Minister's Questions.

Sir Ed said many parents are worried that the Government’s forthcoming reforms will leave their children worse off, with an erosion of the rights that underpin the support they need. He said change is needed and supported the Government on this, but added that reform must be honest, ambitious and must have children at its heart. It cannot see children’s rights rolled back.

He called on the Government to work with the Lib Dems and to use its five principles and priorities for reform:

• Put children and families first – Children’s rights to SEND assessment and support must be maintained and voices of children and young people with SEND and of their families and carers must be at the centre of the reform process.
• Boost specialist capacity and improve mainstream provision – Capacity in state school provision must be increased, alongside improvements to inclusive mainstream provision, with investment in both new school buildings and staff training
• Support local government – Local authorities must be supported better to fund SEND services, including through:
  1. The extension of the profit cap in children’s social care to private SEND provision, where many of the same private equity backed companies are active
  2. and National government funding to support any child whose assessed needs exceed a specific cost
• Early identification and shorter waiting lists – Early identification and intervention must be improved, with waiting times for diagnosis, support and therapies
• Fair funding – The SEND funding system must properly incentivise schools both to accept SEND pupils and to train their staff in best practice for integrated teaching and pastoral care.

Ian Sollom supported this call having heard from a large number of parents who are deeply worried about SEND provision – including many who have opted for home education as schools are simply unable to provide for their children’s needs.

Ian said: “I have heard from so many parents who are rightly worried about their children’s education, including some who have opted to home educate as their children are being failed by the system. I’ve also heard from schools who are under a lot of strain to provide for children with SEND and simply cannot cope.

“The current lack of clarity from the Government means SEND families are being deprived of the certainty they need to live their lives and schools, and this must change.”