SEND crisis, Children throughout Buckinghamshire are waiting far too long for the support they need.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has issued a critical report on the state of support for children and young people with special educational needs (SEN), highlighting a system that is failing families and putting local authorities at financial risk.

The PAC stresses that many children are at risk of leaving school without receiving adequate support due to systemic issues, with a significant variation in waiting times for Education, Health, and Care (EHC) plans across the country. Families, particularly those who are less able to navigate the complex system, are facing barriers to securing necessary support, exacerbating inequalities in SEN provision.

Sarah Green MP Chesham & Amersham, Member of the Committee, said: “Children in my constituency and throughout Buckinghamshire are waiting far too long for the support they need. I have heard countless stories from constituents of the impact these waiting times are having on their children’s education. It is vital that the Government now act on the recommendations of the report to solve this ongoing SEND crisis and bring some relief to local families.”

Anita Cranmer, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Education said: “This is very much a national issue and like many local authorities, we are facing a variety of challenges when it comes to SEN provision for children and young people in Buckinghamshire. We are committed to providing the best support we can with minimal delay and continue to work with education leaders to develop new ways to manage the demand pressures. This forms an important part of our SEND and Inclusion Strategy which will be published in the spring and has been developed in partnership with education leaders, schools, our Integrated Care Board, parents and children and young people.”

Credit: ‘House of Commons presentation of DfE data on EHC plans, January 2024’.

The report reveals that demand for SEN support has increased substantially, with a 14% rise in the number of children receiving support in schools since 2015, and a 140% increase in demand for EHC plans over the same period. However, the Department for Education (DfE) admits it lacks a full understanding of the reasons behind this surge in demand, which undermines its ability to address the issue effectively. The PAC calls on the DfE to improve its understanding of demand and to develop a comprehensive plan for more efficient service delivery. It also highlights the need for earlier identification of SEN, better teacher training, and clearer expectations for inclusive education in mainstream schools.

Additionally, the PAC points out the financial strain placed on local authorities due to persistent SEN-related overspends, with some councils facing bankruptcy within the next 15 months. The Government has not provided a clear solution to these financial challenges, which threatens the sustainability of the SEN system. The committee urges the Government to collaborate with local authorities to develop a fair, sustainable solution to this crisis, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the issue to prevent further damage to local government finances and to ensure children receive the support they need.