Liberals Demand End to Postcode Lottery for Special Needs Children
LONDON — The Liberal Democrats are taking a firm stand against the unfair “postcode lottery” that determines the level of support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Party leader Sir Ed Davey is highlighting the significant disparities in support provided by schools, often resulting in additional costs for families.
He is advocating for the establishment of a new national authority to oversee the coordination of assistance for children with the most complex needs, with a proposed £300 million injection to enhance services.
While the government introduced its own improvement plan for SEND last year, concerns persist over the timely delivery of Education, Health, and Care (EHC) plans essential for tailored support.
Recent government data reveals that more than half of these crucial plans were not issued within the mandated 20-week timeframe, leaving a considerable number of children without the necessary assistance.
According to analysis by the Liberal Democrats, there are glaring discrepancies in performance among different councils nationwide. For instance, 96% of families in Leicestershire experienced delays in obtaining their EHC plans, while nearly all families in Calderdale received theirs on time, with only 1% facing delays.
The party attributes some of the delays to financial hurdles faced by schools, as each institution is required to contribute £6,000 per child towards additional SEND support.
Sir Ed, who personally cares for his disabled son, unveiled this new policy during a campaign visit to Brentwood and Chelmsford in Essex, where he engaged with families and a special educational needs charity.
He outlined the Liberal Democrats’ proposal to establish a specialized national body for SEND, dedicated to advocating for children with complex needs and ensuring they receive appropriate support.
Sir Ed is pushing for an additional £300 million to be allocated towards SEND, with detailed plans set to be included in the party’s manifesto ahead of the upcoming general election.
During his visit, he emphasized the importance of investing now to yield long-term savings, as early identification of SEND can prevent the development of more severe needs.
“Urgent action is essential to guarantee that all children have access to the personalized learning and support they require,” Sir Ed emphasized.
A spokesperson for the Department for Education highlighted ongoing efforts to reform the system nationwide, focusing on early intervention, consistent standards, and reduced bureaucracy.
“We are committed to ensuring that all children have the opportunity to fulfill their potential, reflected in our significant increase in funding for young people with complex needs by over £10.5 billion next year — a 60% rise in the past five years,” the spokesperson stated.
This includes a substantial investment of over £21 million to train 400 additional educational psychologists and boost the number of teaching assistants by almost 60,000 since 2011.
The Labour Party has been contacted for comment. — BBC
