Committee publication · Correspondence · 30 April 2026

Letter to Minister of State for School Standards on response to SEND consultation dated 28.04.26

Summary

Chair Helen Hayes writes to Minister Gould on behalf of the Education Committee regarding the Department's SEND system reform proposals announced in February 2026. The Committee welcomes the consultation and broad reform ambition but raises critical concerns about implementation: multidisciplinary expertise in developing National Inclusion Standards, workforce capacity requiring joint planning with Health and Social Care, mental health exclusion from 'areas of development', and weakened accountability mechanisms including proposed changes to Tribunal powers.

Key findings

Committee welcomes reform ambition and Department's investment in teacher training, particularly in autism, neurodivergence, and social-emotional-mental health, but emphasises implementation depends on high-quality training and sufficient resourcing.
National Inclusion Standards risk replicating existing shortcomings unless developed by multidisciplinary experts including allied health professionals, not just educational psychologists.
Shortages of educational psychologists and allied health professionals require a joint workforce plan between Department for Education and Department of Health and Social Care; 'Experts at Hand' proposal lacks capacity without this coordination.
Mental health exclusion from refreshed 'areas of development' contradicts evidence that social-emotional-mental health is among fastest-growing issues; Committee seeks clarity on how mental health support integrates with SEND reforms.
Proposed weakening of Tribunal powers, mediation ineffectiveness, and lack of clarity on dispute resolution mechanisms undermine parent confidence; Committee urges Government to reconsider changes and extend Local Government Ombudsman powers to cover EHC plans and SEN support.

Tone

Critical

Topics

sendeducation-policyworkforceaccountabilitymental-health

Key actors

Helen Hayes MP, Minister Gould, Department for Education, Department of Health and Social Care, Education Select Committee, Health and Social Care Committee, Local Government Ombudsman

Notable line

“Without broader expert input, for example from Speech and Language therapists. there is a risk that the new reforms could replicate From the Chair Helen Hayes MP House of Commons Palace of Westminster …”

Key Quotes

“… parents and carers of children and young people with SEND too often feel excluded from decisions affecting their children's education and support.”
— Helen Hayes MP · referencing conclusions from Committee's Solving the SEND Crisis report

“Without broader expert input, for example from Speech and Language therapists. there is a risk that the new reforms could replicate From the Chair Helen Hayes MP House of Commons Palace of Westminster …”
— Helen Hayes MP · on concerns about development of National Inclusion Standards

“Without a joint workforce plan we are concerned about the deliverability of reform for this critical part of the SEND system.”
— Helen Hayes MP · on shortages of educational psychologists and allied health professionals

“… social, emotional and mental health needs are one of the fastest growing issues amongst children and young people.”
— Helen Hayes MP · expressing concern about exclusion of mental health from refreshed 'areas of development'

“… the ability for parents and carers to go to the Tribunal is a vital part of rebuilding trust and confidence in the system.”
— Helen Hayes MP · on concerns about proposed changes to Tribunal powers

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Source · parliament.uk record ↗