SEND support at breaking point: Public Accounts Committee calls for urgent reform
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has issued a stark warning about the crisis engulfing Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision in England. Despite increasing demand and government funding, outcomes for children with SEND have failed to improve, leaving families, schools, and local authorities grappling with a broken system.
Over the past decade, the number of children requiring Education, Health, and Care (EHC) plans has surged by an astonishing 140%. While funding for SEND provision has risen by 58%, many local authorities remain financially overwhelmed, with a projected cumulative deficit of £4.6 billion by 2026 unless systemic reforms are introduced.
Key issues identified by the PAC
- EHC Plan Delays: Only 50% of EHC plans were issued within the statutory 20-week deadline in 2023, leaving families waiting for critical support.
- Rising Tribunal Appeals: Parents are increasingly forced to take legal action to secure support, with 98% of tribunal decisions in their favor—a damning indictment of the current system.
- Funding Gaps: Local authorities are facing severe financial strain due to the growing demand for SEND support, exacerbated by insufficient capital investment and escalating transport costs.
- Inconsistent Provision: Significant regional disparities in SEND provision mean that children’s access to support varies depending on where they live, further deepening inequalities.
What needs to change?
The Public Accounts Committee report calls for bold and immediate action to address these SEND challenges. Key recommendations include:
- Earlier Intervention: Schools and local authorities must prioritize early identification and support to reduce the need for costly interventions later.
- Defining Inclusion: Clearer definitions of inclusive education are needed to ensure mainstream schools are equipped to support SEND students effectively.
- Improved Collaboration: Better coordination between education, health, and social care services is essential to address the complex needs of SEND children holistically.
- Accountability and Consistency: Ofsted and the Department for Education must play a stronger role in ensuring consistent standards across all local authority areas.
The cost of inaction
The PAC warns that without urgent reforms, the SEND crisis will continue to escalate, resulting in worsening outcomes for children and pushing more local councils to the brink of financial collapse. This crisis not only impacts the education system but also has profound social and economic implications, as unmet needs create a ripple effect on families and communities.
A turning point for SEND
The PAC has urged the government to act swiftly to stabilise the system and implement sustainable reforms that improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND. Without this, they warn, England risks creating a “lost generation” of children whose potential is left unrealised.
Education Committee inquiry
In parallel, the House of Commons Education Select Committee has launched a major inquiry into ‘Solving the SEND Crisis’. The inquiry aims to stabilise the system in the short term while building long-term sustainability with improved outcomes for children and young people. The inquiry will examine issues such as inclusivity in mainstream schools, SEND funding reforms, and replicable best practices.
Schools North East will be submitting written evidence to the inquiry and invites you to share your views. Please fill in our survey to help inform our submission.
Take action
To read the full PAC report and learn more about the proposed recommendations, click here.
You also have a unique opportunity to hear first-hand insights by attending the Schools North East Academies Conference 2025 on Thursday 23 January at Grand Hotel, Gosforth Park, Newcastle.
We’ll be joined by Tom Rees, Chief Executive Officer of Ormiston Academies Trust, who will deliver a keynote centred on reforming the SEND system. Tom is Chair of the governments newly formed expert advisory group for inclusion and on Thursday he will discuss inclusion at the heart of the school System.
Take action and book your place at the conference now.