EDM 1659: Reform of the special educational needs and disabilities system

That this House notes with deep concern the persistent crisis in the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system, following years of neglect; welcomes the Government’s acknowledgement of the urgent need for reform; further notes the widespread anxiety among parents, carers and professionals that forthcoming changes may undermine the rights of children and young people with SEND; calls on the Government to ensure that any reform is centred on the needs of children, and does not lead to the rollback of existing rights or entitlements in a vacuum; further calls on the Government to ensure that the voices of children and families are placed at the heart of the reform process; believes that reform must include meaningful investment to boost specialist provision alongside improvements to inclusive provision in mainstream schools; further believes that local authorities must be better supported to deliver SEND services, including through extending the profit cap to private SEND providers and ensuring national funding for children with particularly high-cost needs; also calls for improved early identification and intervention, with reduced waiting times for diagnosis, therapies and support; and further calls for a fair funding system that properly incentivises schools to support SEND pupils and to equip staff with the training and tools needed to deliver high-quality inclusive education and pastoral care; and urges the Government to engage constructively on a cross-party basis to deliver a SEND system that meets the needs of every child, young person and family across the country.