SEND Plan?

The government intends to produce a fully costed plan to improve the support system for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) by April 2026.

The plan is in response to a report from the Commons Public Accounts Committee on the SEND crisis.

The Department for Education notes that over the last decade there has been an increase in identified need internationally. However, in England, there has been a much steeper rise in SEND that attracts a statutory plan than in some similar countries. It has agreed to work with the department for Health and Social Care to better understand the demand.

The Department for Education has also said that by the end of the year it intends to announce a plan for dealing with council SEND deficits this summer along with setting out what inclusive education in schools should look like.

Would you like to understand more about SEND?  Have a look at our DAG Busy Governance Guide to SEND for more information.