What's happened
The UK's special educational needs (SEN) system is facing a crisis as demand for support outstrips funding. Recent reports highlight rising legal battles over education, health, and care plans (EHCPs), with experts calling for urgent reforms to address systemic failures affecting children and families. The situation has worsened since the pandemic.
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Systemic Failures
- The SEN system is described as 'broken' by educators, with many children not receiving adequate support.
- Local authorities face insolvency due to rising demand for special school placements and funding for specialists.
Legal Battles
- Over £100 million was spent on legal fees in 2022-23, with councils winning only 1.2% of tribunal cases.
- Families are increasingly forced to appeal decisions regarding EHCPs, indicating a failure in the system to meet legal obligations.
Impact of COVID-19
- The pandemic has exacerbated existing issues, leading to increased social, emotional, and mental health needs among children.
- Teachers report that the stress of the current system is unsustainable, affecting both staff and students.
Call for Reform
- Experts advocate for a significant expansion of specialist educational places and a reevaluation of funding strategies.
- The government is urged to provide sustainable funding and address the backlog of EHCP applications to ensure timely support for children.
What the papers say
According to Richard Adams in The Guardian, local authorities spent over £100 million on legal battles regarding EHCPs, with a mere 1.2% success rate in tribunals. This highlights the adversarial nature of the current system, where families are forced to fight for their children's rights. David Wilson, a deputy headteacher, emphasized that the SEN system is 'broken' and that the increase in children with complex needs is overwhelming mainstream schools. Meanwhile, Dr. Carol Homden from Coram stresses the need for early identification of issues and better support in mainstream settings. The Independent also reports on families challenging new VAT policies that could further strain their ability to access private education, particularly for children with special needs. This multifaceted crisis underscores the urgent need for systemic reform in the UK's approach to special education.
How we got here
The SEN system has been under strain due to increasing numbers of children requiring support, with a projected doubling of those entitled to EHCPs in the next decade. Local authorities are struggling with funding cuts, leading to a rise in legal disputes as families seek necessary support for their children.
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