"A new costed plan for the SEND system is urgently needed," say psychologists

A new report from the Public Accounts Committee has warned the system for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is "unviable" and will result in a "lost generation of children". Responding to the findings, Dr Helena Bunn, chair of the Division of Educational and Child Psychology at the British Psychological Society, said:

"The Public Accounts Committee's findings only reinforce what educational psychologists have long feared for children and families in the SEND system. The support put in place by the Local Authorities for children and young people with SEND is very strained, at times, at risk of breaking point, and is in critical need of wholescale reform.

"We agree with the report's findings that the development of a new costed plan for the SEND system is urgently needed. The workforce is pivotal to this and growing and retaining the number of educational psychologists employed by local authorities will be vital to meet soaring demand. With over 576,000 children now with an Education, Health, and Care Plan in England demand is outstripping supply many times over.

"It is also encouraging that the Department for Education is being urged to outline the provision which children with SEND should expect within the next six months. We must break down the barriers to encouraging inclusivity in mainstream schools.  A holistic and critical review of the positioning of SEND within the wider education system, with a comprehensive analysis of its benefits, as well as risk related to stigma, segregation and helplessness, would allow for an increased focus on early intervention and preventative support for children and families.

"The report clearly highlights that the system, as it currently stands, sadly isn't working for families or local authorities. Targeted investment is essential to make sure all our schools are linked with a named educational psychologist from their local authority, providing services free at the point of delivery, as this would be a first, but important step in redressing the current inequalities."

Notes to editors: 

• The Public Accounts Committee's report reflects what educational psychologists, who are members of the BPS, told us about their experiences of working in the SEND system. Find out more via the BPS Website.