Ensuring Support for Children with SEND
The rights of children to proper assessment and support for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) must be upheld, with their voices—and those of their families and caregivers—central to any reform efforts.
**Expanding Specialized Resources and Strengthening Mainstream Education**
There is a need to increase capacity in state-funded specialized education while also improving inclusive practices in mainstream schools. This includes investment in both infrastructure and staff development.
Strengthening Local Governance
Local authorities should receive better financial support to fund SEND services. Measures include:
- Applying the same financial restrictions to private SEND providers as those in children’s social care, given the overlap in private sector involvement.
- Providing national funding to assist children whose required support exceeds a certain threshold.
Faster Support Through Early Intervention
Efforts must be made to improve early identification of needs and to reduce delays in diagnosis, access to support, and therapeutic services.
Fair Allocation of Resources
The funding system should encourage schools to admit SEND students and provide training in effective, integrated teaching and student welfare practices.
We look forward to further discussion on these priorities. Working across political lines, alongside colleagues from the Liberal Democrats, we aim to ensure that upcoming reforms meet the needs of children with SEND and their families.
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