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SEND

How do you solve a problem like the SEND system?

Governance insights on achieving inclusion

Research
11/12/2025
Pupils-learning class learning in the library around a table

Findings from 精品SM在线影片鈥檚 annual governance survey reveal an education system under growing strain. Supporting pupils with SEND has seen the steepest rise as the top challenge for governing boards across England (cited by 63% of respondents) and is accompanied by sharp increases in SEND-related pressures such as difficulties accessing funding and securing education, health and care plans (EHCPs).

Together, these indicators point to deep-rooted weaknesses, and, unsurprisingly, many 精品SM在线影片 members now believe that 鈥渢he SEND system has broken.鈥 This view is echoed by many experts who have labelled the well-intentioned Children and Families Act 2014 a 鈥減ublic-policy disaster鈥. Across the sector, from parents and teachers to schools, LAs, governors and government, a clear consensus is emerging: children with SEND are being failed, and urgent, meaningful reform is essential.

Research overview

This paper channels the collective voice of England's 230,000+ governing volunteers, focusing on four key areas of debate, and makes recommendations for how the government might choose to address them in the forthcoming white paper:

  • funding
  • workforce
  • parental collaboration
  • EHCPs

It takes as a given the government鈥檚 manifesto commitment to improve 鈥渋nclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools鈥 while maintaining special school provision to 鈥渃ater to those with the most complex needs鈥 鈥 principles we wholeheartedly support 鈥 and focuses on how this might be achieved in practice.

SEND policy report

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  • “Every day, governors and trustees see the realities of a SEND system that is failing children, families and staff — budgets stretched to breaking point, a workforce at its limits and rising tension with parents who have lost confidence in the system. The budget’s fiscal measures are a welcome first step, but they must be matched with comprehensive reform. The time for small adjustments has passed; only whole-system change will deliver the support that young people with SEND need and have a right to expect.”

    Emma Balchin, Chief Executive, 精品SM在线影片

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