Children with SEND: Assessments and Support

In Somerset, many children are denied mainstream education due to lack of resources. The MP calls for protection of the right to assessment and investment in special school places, along with fair funding for all councils. Requested that the ideas presented in his ten-minute rule Bill be considered and included in the White Paper.

Asked about funding concerns, highlighting that one school's funding shortfall is around £22,000 per pupil for those requiring one-to-one support.

EHCP processes in Halesowen often breach the 20-week timeline, waitlists for child and adolescent mental health services are too high, and capacity in mainstream schools is stretched.

He highlighted local concerns about SEND provision in Gloucester and echoed the need for better support systems for families and children.

She criticises the demonisation of parents and emphasises that they do not game the system for SEND but try to help their children with significant paperwork and time constraints.

He supports the need for early intervention and early diagnosis, urging the government not to wait for the White Paper but to act now to address these issues.

Agreed with the need to ensure sufficient resources in designing EHCPs based on needs rather than budget constraints.

In his constituency, 158 families signed the petition; he highlighted that schools are only required to use their 'best endeavours' to support children with special educational needs, which is vague and leads to inadequate support in some cases.

Wiltshire council has one of the lowest levels of per-pupil funding for SEND, causing long waiting times for assessments and overburdened schools. The SEND White Paper must address these issues.

Supports the idea of upskilling teachers through outreach from specialist schools to regular schools, highlighting a model in his constituency.

The total percentage of pupils with EHCPs in Ely and East Cambridgeshire is 4%, higher than the regional and national averages. The council plans for more specialist schools but awaits Government clearance to build them. The wide distances create a challenge in transporting pupils, costing over £25 million on school taxis.

She highlighted the need for more supportive policies instead of punishing parents. Emphasized the importance of changing school culture to be more inclusive and meeting children's needs beyond physical changes.

The number of children with EHCPs in Wokingham has grown by nearly 100% between 2019 and 2025, indicating a need for fundamental change in the SEND system.

Acknowledges Save Our Children’s Rights securing over 120,000 signatures and highlights challenges faced in Hertfordshire due to Conservative administration issues. Mentions the creation of a SEND summit by the Liberal Democrats. Sought the Minister's attention to discuss further points regarding support measures for children with special educational needs.

The council spent over £50,000 on top-up funding for pupils with SEND in the last financial year. The City Academy in Homerton integrates neurodiversity into teaching and ensures that every teacher is a SENCO.

Supports his colleague's advocacy for children with SEND, criticising Staffordshire county council’s underperformance and stressing the importance of hearing from those with experience of the system as reforms progress.

Supports the sentiment that the SEND system causes significant distress to parents and impacts employment due to care responsibilities. Mentions a constituent's son waiting 13 months for an assessment.

Emphasised the importance of early intervention in special educational needs cases, highlighting that early support can lead to better outcomes and lower costs. He criticized Surrey county council’s approach to SEND services, describing it as a 'cold, uncaring bureaucracy'. Emphasized the need for accountability and effective support delivery.

Dr Chowns recognises the need for support and resources for teachers and educators who work closely with SEND children. He mentions that there are not enough state-funded special school places available to meet demand, leading many children to travel out of county for the necessary support.

Noted that in North Herefordshire, there is a larger proportion of children with recognised special educational needs but lower-than-average education funding. The council faces a deficit which will likely increase from £6 million to £40 million next year.

Dr Lauren Sullivan agrees that Kent County Council has spent over £1.1 billion on legal fees, nearly 80% of its yearly revenue, which should be better spent supporting children with SEND.

Ms Darlington points out that Milton Keynes has seen a 114% increase in children with EHCPs despite having over 15,000 specialist school places. She asks how this demand can be met within the current system.

Speaks about his personal experiences with children with special needs, describing the pain and stress faced by families trying to access a basic education for their children. Advocates for a better system that does not force parents to battle at every step.

Questioned why after six minutes of speaking, there was no indication of what government reforms would entail despite highlighting numerous problems.

Acknowledged the challenges faced by families in the SEND system, which is described as 'lose, lose, lose'. The committee has focused on solving this crisis through a comprehensive inquiry.

Raised the case of four-year-old Maeve who requires constant care but is yet to receive an assessment from Surrey county council despite her application almost a year ago. She emphasized the need for improved funding, tackling waiting lists, and boosting specialist care.

The system is broken and mistreats parents and children. Local authorities must be barred from denying EHCPs, which would save millions of pounds. Legal rights protect families from misuse by councils.

Welcomed the Government's approval of new specialist places in Suffolk but highlighted issues such as unregulated private provision and called for further action to address the SEND crisis.

Described individual cases where children travel long distances for schooling and families face uncertainty about their child's education. Highlighted the high costs of SEND tribunals and called for better support for independent special schools.

Shares personal experience as a mother of a disabled child, highlighting the adversarial nature and lack of support in the current system. Emphasises the need for inclusive schools and holistic partnership working between local authorities.

Supports Linsey Farnsworth's concerns, noting that obtaining an EHCP is often just the beginning of a struggle for families. Emphasises the need for better resources and funding within schools and externally.

The e-petition received over 200 signatures in Chichester. Parents report a pattern of delays and inadequate support from West Sussex county council, with only 14.3% of EHCPs being put in place within the statutory framework.

Reported on a consultation session discussing top priorities such as faster and simpler EHCP systems, early interventions for under-fives, and more specialist places in well-resourced mainstream schools.

Highlighted a school called Muntham House that successfully supports high-needs autistic boys, with 40% going on to hold jobs and sustain themselves. He emphasized the importance of proper support for such children.

Asked Ben Coleman about the issue of hedge-fund-backed independent specialist schools taking cash from the system without caps on profits or transparency requirements, suggesting a need for regulation.

In Calder Valley, 450 people signed the petition. Children are often denied access to schools with EHCPs, some out of education entirely due to lack of support from local authorities.

Mr Newbury discusses the impact of an inadequate system on families and children's education, mentioning long waiting times for EHCPs and profiteering by private providers due to lack of state provision.

Addresses the 208 constituents who signed the petition and discusses the issues in Derbyshire, where a Reform-led council has failed to improve SEND provision despite a damning Ofsted report. Warns about proposed reforms in the schools White Paper.

Spoke about the emotional and financial strain on families in Eastleigh dealing with an adversarial system; cited statistics showing delays in EHCP assessments and transport issues causing distress for children and their families.

She welcomes early intervention initiatives like Best Start centres, stressing that the crisis in SEND is a long-term issue resulting from years of austerity and rising demand. She calls for urgent action to address this systemic failure.

The system for children with additional needs and their parents is described as broken. Proposed reforms include educating school staff on understanding children's needs, improving physical environments in schools, staggering play times and break times.

Families face uncertainty due to secretive government reforms, while councils across London lose vital funding. The MP calls for transparent reform rooted in improving children's lives.

Raises the issue of governance in the SEND system, suggesting that local authorities should have more control over decisions affecting children with SEND. Proposes giving special educational needs co-ordinators roles similar to directors of public health. Manuela Perteghella supports the need for reforms that strengthen cooperation between families, schools, health services and local authorities to address the adversarial system faced by SEND families in Stratford-on-Avon.

Parents are waiting too long for EHCPs, facing rigid attendance rules, and worried that support will be taken away. The new system must be properly tested and trusted by parents.

In Newton Abbot, more than 90 families have navigated the SEND EHCP system; nearly 100% of EHCPs are not issued within 20 weeks and the SEND off-book debt in Devon is £170 million.

Emphasized the importance of routine screening for neurodivergent conditions to ensure early identification and support for children with disabilities such as autism.

Ms Harding highlights that teachers are up against a system, with families in tears due to lack of provision. She mentions that over 1,800 children in Surrey do not have the necessary educational support from Surrey county council.

In Merton, 50% above the national average of children receive support for SEND. Many face long delays in finding suitable schools or placements due to budget constraints and bureaucratic obstacles.

Agreed with the need for cultural change in mainstream schools, highlighting personal experience as a parent of a neurodivergent child whose education was negatively affected by lack of understanding and training among teachers.

Called for condemnation of inappropriate comments about the system being 'hijacked' and emphasized the need to get the system right.

Pays tribute to the petition signatories and campaign groups, highlights concerns of parents about recent media reports on SEND proposals. Emphasizes the need for a child-centred approach in reforms, criticises the current adversarial system, and advocates for early identification and intervention.

The petition has secured over 100,000 signatures due to a constituent. Parents face class issues with private diagnosis costs and bureaucracy in navigating the system, leaving 62% of parent-carers not in paid employment.

Paul Davies emphasizes the importance of justice, opportunity and inclusion for children with special educational needs. He praises Kirklees Council's initiatives and funding but stresses that a collaborative system is essential.

SEND provision affects thousands of families in Birmingham, with over 17% of pupils receiving SEND support. Schools face a funding crisis, there is a need for extra places at special schools, and specialist support in mainstream settings is patchy. The system must be reformed without removing children’s right to learn and thrive.

Stressed the need for protecting legal rights and moving from a system that focuses on later interventions to one that emphasizes earlier intervention, aiming to get more support to young people faster.

Emphasised the importance of changing school culture to a therapeutic and inclusive environment that supports every child's unique needs and potential. Congratulates Ian Lavery on his work, noting that parents face significant barriers in accessing support for their children. Proposes a SEND hub similar to Sure Start, providing multi-agency support and advocating for a therapeutic learning environment.

Highlights the surge in demand for EHCPs since 2019, resulting in local councils struggling to cope with funding and management issues. Advocates for centralised funding and management of SEND, along with a serious conversation about rising diagnoses and needs among young people.

Families in North Somerset must fight hard for the special educational provision their children need. The SEND system is now in dire need of change, but it cannot come at the cost of any child's future or education. Changes to legal rights would leave families and their children with even less support.

Acknowledges the complexity of providing for children with SEND, highlights a 10.8% increase in EHCPs since the pandemic, and questions the Government's lack of clarity on proposed changes to EHCPs. Asked for a brief response from the Minister, emphasizing the importance of community-based support.

Highlighted capacity issues in state schools and specialist schools, emphasizing the urgency for county councils to address placement and support issues.

As someone with ADHD, she stressed that support is a legal right. Mentioned struggles faced by families in navigating the SEND system and advocated for reforms that prioritize children's needs.

Expresses distress caused by the current SEND system, highlighting long wait times for assessments and high costs incurred by parents seeking diagnoses. Mentions inconsistency in support after EHCPs are granted, and issues with accessing mental health services for older children.

As a former teacher with personal experience of special educational needs, he highlights the increasing number of pupils identified with SEND and the lack of consistent improvement in outcomes. He raises concerns about the disproportionate effect of current assessment frameworks on SEND children.

Mr Yemm agrees with Mr Newbury that delays in obtaining EHCPs are unacceptable, highlighting the strain on families and children's ability to thrive within the current system.

Raised concerns about lengthy waiting times for tribunal hearings and agreed that early interventions and adequate resourcing are essential.

Support was expressed for schools needing more funding to hire full-time SENCOs, agreeing with Jess Brown-Fuller's points on the importance of early support and proper identification of needs. Asked the Minister to outline specific actions the Government plans to take, pressing for concrete measures addressing current systemic issues.

Thanked the Minister for meeting parents from her constituency who have children with special educational needs, emphasising the need to ensure that individual needs are addressed properly.

Described the negative impacts of the current SEND system on children's education and well-being, as well as on teachers and councils. Urged for reforms that prioritize children’s rights to a nurturing education.

Called for a holistic procedure involving schools and local authorities working with the NHS, dedicated SEND co-ordinators in schools, and teacher training that includes SEND. Welcomed the Government's extra £1 billion funding but stressed the need for efficient use of funds. Proposed reforms such as mandatory SEND education in teacher training and a legal requirement for each school to have a dedicated SENCO.

Children with SEND are being placed in classrooms that do not meet their needs, forcing some out of school. Schools, particularly academies, are difficult to hold accountable, and parents often face no systems for complaints.

Discussed the importance of accountability in maintaining systemic support for children with SEND, highlighting potential threats to EHCPs.