BPS responds to SEND Inclusion in London’s Schools report

Responding to the new report SEND Inclusion in London's Schools from London Councils, Dr Gavin Morgan, chair of the Division of Educational and Child Psychology at the British Psychological Society, said:

"The findings from the London Councils report reinforce the difficult circumstances that local authority educational psychologists currently face.  There are simply not enough educational psychologists being trained and retained in local authorities to meet growing demand for the children with special educational needs and disability (SEND) support. With a 21% increase in pupils with SEND in London, this is unsustainable if allowed to continue. 

"We also agree with the report's assessment that key to transforming the SEND system, and outcomes for children, is prioritising inclusion and early intervention. This is vital to preventing the needs and challenges from becoming entrenched.

"Thousands of children who require SEND support are at risk if urgent intervention isn't forthcoming. With over 20,000 children currently waiting for an Education, Health, and Care assessment in England, serious investment is needed to ensure that all our schools, including in London, are linked with a named educational psychologist from their local authority, free at the point of delivery."

Find out more about the BPS's campaign to address the need for more educational psychologists in local authorities, to make sure every child has the support they need to thrive in their education.

If you want to join our campaign to ensure every school has a named educational psychologist based in their local authority, you can write to your MP.