The support system for children in England with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) is described as being in complete disarray and urgently needing a revamp, according to the local government ombudsman (LGO).
In a recent interview with the Guardian, Amerdeep Somal, responsible for investigating complaints related to council services including Send, expressed that the current system is failing children, families, and local authorities.
Insufficient funding results in a lack of essential services for children, causing them to miss out on crucial education and development opportunities. Social workers are overwhelmed, educational psychologists are scarce, and adequate support is lacking in many areas.
Councils are facing a potential £5bn debt crisis due to overspending on Send services, putting many local authorities at risk of bankruptcy.
Complaints about special educational needs provision make up a significant portion of the LGO’s casework, highlighting the pressing issues within the system.
Families lodging complaints about Send have a high success rate, with the LGO finding fault in the majority of education cases investigated.
Amerdeep Somal, with her background in adjudicating Send cases, brings a unique perspective to the challenges faced by parents, children, schools, and local authorities in this area.
Despite the increasing number of complaints and delays in implementing recommendations, Somal acknowledges the resource constraints faced by councils.
The Send system is described as being in complete disarray, with the LGO upholding the majority of investigations, highlighting the failures in supporting children and young people to reach their full potential.
When local authorities are found at fault, the LGO steps in to address the issues and seek solutions for the betterment of the system.
2024-08-04 10:42:11
Source from www.theguardian.com