Ambitious about Autism responds to Education Committee’s SEND report

The report says the 2014 reforms to the special educational needs system have been ‘badly hampered’ by ‘poor administration’ and funding constraints. It calls for greater accountability within the system and more ‘ambition’ for the outcomes of young people with SEND post 16. 

Ambitious about Autism’s Chief Executive, Jolanta Lasota, said: 

“This report confirms what many thousands of families already know - the special educational needs system is failing a generation of children and young people. 

“It’s time for the Government to act - not by eroding access to support for the most vulnerable pupils, but by giving local authorities enough funding and support to meet their clear legal duties and introducing robust accountability in the system. 

“It’s simply not good enough that Ministers have no idea how schools are spending their SEN funding - we need a full audit and accountability about how this money is used. Doing so will help ensure pupils who need it have timely access to support. 

"This report also sets out the urgent need for more and better opportunities for young people aged 16 and over with special educational needs – including more specialist post 16 education provision and meaningful access to employment opportunities. Without an ambitious vision and real support for these young people we waste the potential of a generation and place even greater, long-term pressure on the adult social care system.”