Written evidence submitted The Special Educational Consortium

(SFC0051)

Dear Public Accounts Committee team,

We are writing on behalf of the Special Educational Consortium (SEC). SEC is a membership organisation that comes together to protect and promote the rights of disabled children and young people and those with special educational needs (SEN). We have 42 members, which include the voluntary and community sector, education providers, parent carer groups, and professional associations. SEC believes that every child and young person is entitled to an education that allows them to fulfil their potential and achieve their aspirations.

SEC identifies areas of consensus across our membership and works with the Department for Education, Parliament, and other decision-makers when there are proposals for changes in policy, legislation, regulations and guidance that may affect disabled children and young people, and those with SEN.

We have summarised our key positions below in response to your three themes outlined in the call for evidence. For more substantial evidence, please find the Special Educational Consortium’s response to the SEND and Alternative Provision green paper from 2022, which sets out the consensus positions we have reached, and covers many areas of concern we have. We have more recent positions on the current status of the SEND system but this document is the most comprehensive set of consensus positions we have on a wide range of SEND themes. For more information on our more recent consultation positions, please visit this website.

In short, our response to the three themes set out in the call for evidence:

1 Performance of the system

As identified in the SEND and AP green paper, the recent NAO report, and other reports, SEC agrees that the system is currently not working as intended. Too many children’s needs are not being met in line with the expectations set out in the legal framework i.e. The Equality Act 2010, Children and Families Act 2014.

2 The overall picture of support available and outcomes achieved for those with SEN

SEC believes that too many children with SEN and disabilities are not receiving the support they need. Many of them fall below the ‘age related expectations’ assessment process and, therefore, have no measure of the progress that they do make.

The outcomes achieved are often described too narrowly, focusing on academic attainment. SEC believes that the concept of outcomes should be wider, to include social achievements and being part of their community, having access to assessment and qualifications suitable for their abilities, being able to participate in adulthood, and maintaining good health.

3 Government action to create a sustainable SEN system and restore confidence

SEC believes that current government programmes underway will not create a sustainable SEN system or restore confidence. We are particularly concerned that the Safety Valve and Delivering Better Value programmes infringe on the legal rights of disabled children and young people and their families, driving more mistrust in the system. Please see our response linked below for our collective solutions to creating a sustainable SEN system and restoring confidence.

SEC is very happy to support your enquiry and provide oral evidence if required.

November 2024