EDUCATION SELECT COMMITTEE - RECAP

Solving the SEND Crisis: Takeaways from the Education Select Committee

The Agilisys team attended an engaging and insightful two-hour Call for Evidence session on the SEND crisis, hosted by the Education Select Committee. The session brought together a diverse range of voices, including local authorities, educators, SEND specialists, and policymakers, all focused on improving the Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) process and ensuring better support for children with special educational needs and disabilities. However, the most powerful and moving testimonies came from young people and parents who are directly navigating the SEND system.

These testimonies underscored the urgent need for innovation in SEND services. Agilisys remains committed to supporting local authorities with Generative AI solutions that enable caseworkers to draft EHCPs more efficiently, reduce backlogs, and improve consistency—ensuring every child receives the support they need in a timely manner. The insights from this session reinforce the importance of leveraging technology to drive meaningful improvements in SEND provision. Read the full insights to explore how AI-driven solutions are helping transform the system for the better.

💬 EDITOR’S INSIGHT

Across the UK, proposals for ambitious welfare savings have stirred concerns about the future of SEND funding. Figures from the Office for Budget Responsibility and Treasury forecasts reveal that billions of pounds in cuts could reshape disability benefits, directly affecting the support networks for special educational needs.

Many SEND programs are deeply intertwined with broader disability services. When measures such as tightening eligibility for benefits like Personal Independence Payment (PIP) are introduced, it creates ripple effects that put schools, local authorities, and service providers in a difficult position.

Educators and policy makers are urged to stay informed, engage in dialogue, and develop strategic plans. Building alliances and staying proactive can help ensure that necessary fiscal discipline does not compromise essential support.

Balancing budgetary constraints with the imperative to support our most vulnerable is challenging, but through collaboration and innovation, we can safeguard the future of SEND services.

DIGITAL SAFETY CHALLENGES

Technology is Both a Lifeline and a Minefield for Special Needs Children

Technology is a double-edged sword for special needs children; it can be both empowering and perilous. It offers exceptional opportunities for engagement and self-paced learning through assistive technologies like text-to-speech software and symbol-based applications, fostering independence among children with conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and ADHD. However, the digital realm also poses significant risks, including exposure to cyber predators, harmful content, and addictive behaviours. Children with ASD, for instance, may struggle to recognise deception, making them susceptible to online threats.

Schools and families play a pivotal role in safeguarding these vulnerable groups. Integration of online safety into the curriculum is crucial, alongside stringent policies on cyberbullying and digital conduct. Additionally, tech companies must enhance content moderation and parental controls to shield children from online hazards. Collaboration among educators, parents, and tech firms is vital in creating a secure digital environment. By addressing the benefits and inherent dangers, society can build a safer online world where children with special needs can flourish with confidence and security.

INCLUSIVE EDUCATION

How to Make Curriculum and Assessment More Inclusive

Achieving a truly inclusive education system requires significant reform of curriculum and assessment practices. Current barriers should be removed to ensure all young individuals access a curriculum that nurtures their capabilities. Special schools and alternative provision (AP) settings offer insights through their flexible approaches to curriculum delivery, focusing on a holistic learning model that integrates multiple subject areas and connects learning to real-world contexts. This model supports personalised learning experiences that cater to individual developmental needs rather than adhering strictly to chronological age expectations, suggesting a transformation in mainstream educational strategy.

To implement inclusive education, assessment models must shift from merely academic outcomes to broader measures encompassing social skills, communication, and overall wellbeing. These diverse metrics provide a more comprehensive understanding of a student's progress. Effective assessment should go beyond traditional exams and include various measures of success, reflecting the true capabilities of learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The collaboration of SEND and AP sectors with government authorities is crucial for developing a system that holds every school accountable for all students' progress, creating a foundation for a truly inclusive national educational framework.

SEND INCLUSION CHALLENGES

Ofsted Plans Under Scrutiny for Lack of Focus on Admissions

Ofsted’s inclusion plans are under scrutiny for neglecting a crucial component: school admissions. Margaret Mulholland of the Association of School and College Leaders stresses the importance of assessing whether schools' student bodies truly mirror the local needs of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The current inspection framework does not evaluate intake representation, raising concerns about schools’ commitment to inclusivity within their surrounding communities. Mulholland argues for measures ensuring schools address local SEND needs, suggesting that an understanding of inclusion must transcend mere internal metrics.

Annamarie Hassall of the National Association for Special Educational Needs highlights a systemic challenge: schools striving for full inclusivity often battle against entrenched accountability structures. This can dissuade schools from adopting bold, inclusive practices and provoke leadership to take a more challenging stand. Hassall also warns against framing SEN support as a mere statutory checkbox, advocating for a more fluid, whole-school strategy that empowers schools to naturally integrate support mechanisms rather than pathologise students. This approach necessitates core funding and resources geared towards making educational institutions better equipped for all learners, aligning with contemporary inclusion goals.

SPECIAL NEEDS PROVISION

Nottingham Expands SEND Facilities to Meet Growing Demand Efficiently

SEND STRATEGY

Strategic Improvement Plan for Special Needs Education Announced in Cumberland

SEND FUNDING CRISIS

Labour's Strategic SEND Reform to Secure Financial Stability for Councils

Labour is preparing a comprehensive reform of the special educational needs (SEN) system in English schools as councils face crippling deficits that threaten financial collapse. Over 12 authorities report debts exceeding £100 million, some as high as £312 million, which must be cleared in the coming year. This financial strain has led to urgent calls for reform. A white paper set for release in spring aims to recalibrate the existing SEN and disabilities (SEND) framework, potentially amending SEND legislation to ease these pressures. The focus may be on bolstering state school provisions and reducing dependence on costly private specialist schools.

Local councils are advocating for more drastic solutions, urging the government to eliminate a looming £5 billion deficit due by March 2026. This deficit has been temporarily deferred with a credit arrangement but is soon to hit balance sheets, risking insolvency for over 60 councils. The situation underscores the critical need for immediate intervention to avoid fiscal disaster. Without decisive action, the impending financial crisis could severely undermine the educational system’s capacity to meet SEN requirements, necessitating swift government measures to stabilise and support local authorities.

SPECIAL EDUCATION FUNDING

Special Needs Support Cuts Prompt Surge in Care Plan Requests in Bristol

Bristol City Council's decision to cut early support funding for special educational needs (SEN) has led to a notable spike in requests for more costly Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs). The cut in high-needs top-up funding—historically vital for early intervention—has caused a 33% increase in EHCP requests, starkly contrasting the South West's 10% rise. The authority is investing £1.9 million in hiring support workers, aiming to mitigate the impact by restructuring services. However, the tension remains as cuts in other areas, such as domestic violence and short breaks, create anxiety about the broader implications for affected families.

The funding row has escalated to a High Court case, where Bristol City Council awaits a judge's ruling on the legality of their governmental bailout decision. The possible end of statutory budgeting overrides compounds the uncertainty, threatening fiscal strain on many councils. Despite the investment in local support and production of EHCPs showing some improvement, substantial challenges persist. Councillors emphasise the need for a holistic, family-centred approach to navigate the complexities posed by these budgetary constraints.

EDUCATION INVESTMENT

Funding Escalation Strategically Addresses Critical Needs in SEND Education

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