Retain legal right to assessment and support in education for children with SEND

Support in education is a vital legal right of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). We ask the government to commit to maintaining the existing law, so that vulnerable children with SEND can access education and achieve their potential.

It has been reported that the government is considering making changes to The Children and Families Act 2014, which sets out the legal rights to assessment and statutory support in education for disabled children. We believe that these rights do not only help vulnerable children and their families - they also reduce costs to the state in adulthood. We think that removing statutory obligations on local authorities could mean many children do not get the support they need to reach their potential.

As part of our Plan for Change, we are determined to improve the system of support for children with SEND and their families. We are working to restore families’ trust by ensuring early years, schools and post-16 settings have the tools to better identify and meet need earlier and ensure more children and young people can receive their education in inclusive mainstream settings with their peers.

We are committed to:

• ensuring a legal right to additional support for children and young people with SEND; • ensuring all children and young people have the support they need to achieve and thrive; • improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools, as well as ensuring swift access to special schools for children and young people with the most complex needs; and • restoring confidence in the system of support for children and young people with SEND so that they all get the chance to achieve and thrive in their education.

Any changes we make will improve support for families, stop parents from having to fight for support, and protect effective support currently in place.

Details of the government's intended approach to strengthening the SEND system will be set out in a Schools White Paper in the autumn.

As part of developing our approach, we are working with parents and young people, organisations which represent parents, local authorities, SEND organisations and education settings across the country, as well as sector experts.

We share the widespread view that improvements to the SEND system are badly needed. The forthcoming consultation on the White Paper will be key to shaping the reforms to the SEND system, so that every child and young person can achieve and thrive and we continue to break down barriers to opportunity.