LGA RESPONDS TO PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE REPORT ON SEND

Responding to the Public Accounts Committee report on special educational needs, Cllr Judith Blake, Chair of the LGA’s Children and Young People Board, said:

“Councils, schools and the NHS are continuing to provide individual special educational needs services for children and young people, despite the huge challenges they face during this pandemic.

“This report raises some important areas of learning for councils and it is essential that Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission work proactively with them to identify solutions to meet the needs of all children and young people. By working with parents, families and children with SEND, we can agree on what a ‘good’ system of support looks like.

“Since the extension of the eligibility for SEND support in 2014, councils have seen a near 50 per cent rise in children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans with more than 130 children and young people starting support plans with their council every day.

“The Government must use its planned review of the SEND system to ensure it works effectively for everyone. This must be accompanied by sufficient long-term funding for councils and the powers to hold partners to account for their work to support children and young people with SEND.”