"No family with children and young people in the SEND system should be forced to take legal action," says BPS
The Guardian has revealed that £100m has been spent in England on failed efforts to block children’s SEND support in the last year.
24 December 2024
New analysis from the Guardian has found that Councils in England have spent more than £100m on tribunals for children with special educational needs during 2022-23. Responding to the findings, Dr Gavin Morgan, chair of the Division of Educational and Child Psychology at the British Psychological Society, said:
"The Guardian's analysis reflects the bitter reality that faces so many families in England. No family with children and young people in the SEND system should be forced to take legal action just to access the support they need.
"Most are succeeding in their legal challenges when cases are reaching tribunal, but the psychological anguish this takes on the families involved should not be underestimated. The financial burden and debt associated with costly legal fees only adds to the psychological toll. The system clearly isn't working for families or local authorities, and wholescale reform is desperately needed. Growing the number of educational psychologists being trained and retained by local authorities is vital to improving the outcomes for all children and young people in the SEND system.
"Worryingly demand continues to soar, with over 576,000 children now with an Education, Health, and Care Plan in England. Targeted investment is urgently required 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."