The special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system is in ‘crisis’, according to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
The parliamentary committee found that the SEND system was ‘inconsistent, inequitable and not delivering in line with expectations’, in its report on the system, called Support for children and young people with special educational needs.
It found that accessing health expertise presented a significant barrier to identifying and supporting SEN needs and that the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) must set out how ICBs will consider SEN alongside their wider priorities ‘within six months’.
It said: ‘Currently, only 2 out of 32 competing priorities for the NHS relate to SEN. DHSC recognises it could improve ICBs focus on SEN. Since 2023, it requires each ICB to appoint an executive lead for SEN and recent planning guidance asks ICBs to look at community health services.
‘Despite increasing need, DHSC does not have data to understand current long waiting times for health support, with reports of children waiting years to access children’s and adolescents’ mental health support (CAMHS).
‘DHSC is still working on a solution – it has committed more funding and aspires to provide more support for speech and language therapy and CAMHS. However, with staffing being considered as part of a wider 10-year plan for NHS recovery, it is unclear when there will be wider progress.’
It added: ‘Within six months, DHSC should set out how ICBs will consider SEN alongside wider priorities; how its longer-term workforce plans will address current and forecast SEN skill shortfalls; and its processes, plans and targets for reducing related waiting lists.’
It estimated that 1.7 million school-aged children have special educational needs and disabilities in England as of January 2024.
Dr Layla McCay, director of policy at NHS Confederation, said: ‘We welcome this report which highlights the innumerable barriers that families with children and young people with SEN are facing to access vital support in England. Our members report that despite staff working incredibly hard, families are facing long waiting times for services, mental health support, autism and ADHD assessments.
‘There are no quick or easy solutions to set out how support will be provided as we see an increase in SEN needs and growth in demand for education, health and care plans. However, what we have seen are innovative models from our members that move beyond purely diagnosis of SEN, enabling broader support and allowing waiting lists to be cleared.
‘Wider policy reforms are needed to ensure that families with children and young people can access joined-up care and support in a timely way.’
She added that the 10 year plan for the NHS and the spending review were ‘strong opportunities’ to address this.
It comes as the Government announced £57m of funding for the Start for Life programme last week, to support children and families in deprived areas.
In September, ADHD service failures were seen to increase health inequalities, according to a survey by the University of Exeter.
