Secondary School SEND Rules to Undergo Major Review in England
Significant changes are coming to the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system in England, with eligibility for support set to be reviewed at the start of secondary school. This major policy shift will impact children currently receiving SEND assistance, requiring a fresh assessment as they transition from primary to secondary education.
First Cohort Affected by the Changes
The first group of pupils to be affected by these changes are currently in Key Stage 1, according to recent reports. This means children who currently benefit from special needs support will face a comprehensive review when they move to secondary school, potentially altering the level and type of assistance they receive.
The rule change, announced by the Labour Party government, will be formally detailed on Monday. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has emphasized that children with SEND will "always have a legal right to support," and that Labour is committed not just to protecting but improving that support system.
Addressing Systemic Issues
One source speaking to the Guardian highlighted persistent problems with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), noting that they "can take a long time to secure, there are lots of people waiting for them and a lot of the support is stuff a school could already do and should be already doing."
The source continued: "If schools have the right resources, those needs can be met sooner." Another source pointed to the paradox of increased spending without improved outcomes, stating: "We've never spent as much money on special needs as we're spending today, and yet outcomes are worse than they were in 2014 for that group of children."
Government Vision for Inclusive Education
A spokesperson for the Department for Education outlined the government's vision in a statement: "It's about creating a better system for all families, where support is needs-led, embedded in every community and wrapped around children at the earliest stage so they can thrive at a school closer to home."
The spokesperson added: "We'll set out our full plans shortly – building on the work already underway to secure a truly inclusive system, including investing billions in tens of thousands of new places that meet the needs of children with Send and training up every teacher and teaching assistant in line with the best practice across the country."
This comprehensive approach aims to address both immediate needs and long-term systemic challenges within the SEND education framework, ensuring that all children receive appropriate support throughout their educational journey.
