Committee publication · Special Report · 11 December 2025 · HC 1565
7th Special Report - Solving the SEND Crisis: Government Response
From: Education Committee
Inquiry: Solving the SEND Crisis
Summary
This is the Government's formal response to the Education Committee's September 2025 report on solving the SEND crisis. The government accepts the committee's diagnosis of deep-rooted system failures and outlines its reform principles—early intervention, local provision, fairness, evidence-based practice, and cross-departmental partnership—while committing to detailed plans in a Schools White Paper in early 2026.
Key findings
- Government accepts the Committee's finding that the SEND system has 'deep-rooted issues' causing poor outcomes for children and families, and commits to reform as part of its 'Plan for Change'
- Five reform principles established: Early intervention starting in early years; Local provision reducing travel distance; Fair resourcing so parents don't have to 'fight' for support; Effective evidence-based practice; Shared cross-departmental working
- Workforce investment includes £21m to train 400 more educational psychologists (2024–25), NPQ for SENCOs now mandatory in mainstream schools, and new Early Career Teacher Entitlement covering SEND support
- Early years funding of £1.5bn over three years; Best Start Family Hubs in every local authority; continued funding for Nuffield Early Language Intervention until 2028–29
- Schools funding settlement includes £4.2bn increase by 2028–29; £740m high needs capital for 2025–26; Statutory Override extended to end 2027–28 to manage local authority SEND deficits
Government position
The government partially accepts the Committee's recommendations, committing to consider them as it develops detailed SEND reform plans for the Schools White Paper. It accepts the diagnosis of system failure and outlines broad reform principles and funding commitments, but defers detailed responses on specific recommendations (particularly redress, accountability, and tribunal reform) pending further stakeholder engagement and the White Paper publication. The government states it will work with the Ombudsman and Tribunal on their future roles but gives no firm commitments on structural changes.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Helen Hayes (Education Committee Chair), Department for Education, Tom Rees (Expert Advisory Group for Inclusion Lead), School Support Staff Negotiating Body, Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, SEND Tribunal, Ofsted/CQC, Strategic Advisor for SEND
Notable line
“Every child should have a childhood rich in opportunity and with high quality education and care from their early years through to post-16.”
Key Quotes
“The Committee's report rightly highlights the deep-rooted issues which have plagued the SEND system for too long and has resulted in poor experiences and outcomes for children and young people with SEND and their families.”
“Supporting children with SEND is central to the early years agenda. The government recognises the important role the early years sector plays in early intervention to ensure the right support is put in place for children as soon as possible”
“The biggest in-education factor that makes the impact to a child's educational outcomes is high-quality teaching. This is particularly important for pupils with Special Educational Needs and disabilities”
“Almost 95% of education, health and care plans (EHCPs) and assessments are concluded without a Tribunal hearing.”
“… there will always be a vital role for special schools and specialist post-16 provision for children and young people with the most complex needs, and we are committed to improving support across the system to ensure access to those placements for pupils that need them.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗