LGA responds to NAO SEND report

Responding to a report by the National Audit Office on the need to review the education of children with special educational needs, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, Cllr Judith Blake, said:

“This report underlines the significant financial pressures councils face to support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

“It also reflects our concerns that mainstream schools are increasingly unable to meet the needs of children with SEND, due to a combination of funding constraints, accountability pressures and curriculum changes meaning schools are becoming less inclusive.

“The extra £700 million for SEND announced in the Spending Round will help councils to meet the rising demand for support next year and we are pleased the Government has also launched a review of the system. 

“Reform is needed and councils want to work with the Government and families and children with SEND on the forthcoming cross-government review to get a clear picture of why demand and cost pressures are continuing to rise and what can be done to make the system work more effectively for everyone.”