The Government has promised it will publish its Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) review soon, but this is the same Government that has been in office for 12 years.

 

If a week is the proverbial ‘long time in British politics’, then 12 years is an eternity. After all this time, what are the chances this of all Governments can turn things around, and suddenly generate the required energy and purpose to tackle the SEND crisis?  

 

It is the opposition parties at Westminster- and not a flagging Government- who are best placed to make the running in this vital area of a public policy.

 

This piece suggests how Labour particularly might start the job.

 

 

Some background…

 

We’ve recently seen some of Labour’s thinking emerge around social policy for children and young people.

 

In Autumn 2021 the Party launched ‘Ten by Ten’, a list of ten things it wants every child to have done (or had the opportunity to do) in their first decade of life. This was briefly reference in the leader’s September 2021 conference speech.

 

Consisting largely of childhood staples (examples: “learn to swim”, “learn to ride a bike”)  ‘Ten by Ten’ makes most sense when seen as part of Labour’s equality agenda. Many children can take a lot of the things on that list for granted, but it serves to remind us that lots can’t.

 

In mainly addressing the financially and socially disadvantaged, ‘Ten by Ten’ was well intentioned. But it remains a very general list, seemingly written with ‘the average child’ in mind.

 

The danger for any party in being so generalised is that it’s not being inclusive enough.

 

 

Sending a message

 

Thus the challenge for Labour is to broaden its vision, by gradually developing policies for more groups of children and young people who are marginalised and poorly served.

 

Children and young people with SEND are an obvious priority, and where I think the policy focus should be trained next.

 

The Government’s approach to SEND is failing on many levels. Provision of services is patchy, and outcomes are often poor.

 

As the biggest opposition party, it is Labour’s duty to take the lead in developing an alternative vision of what is possible, in order to improve things for these children and young people. SEND was also briefly mentioned in the September leader’s speech, but it’s now time to get specific.

 

Fixing the SEND system won’t be easy and it won’t be cheap. This is exactly why Labour needs to make the argument clearly and consistently, bringing core issues to wider public attention, and making the argument for robust action.

 

SEND observes no boundaries of class, of race, of income, of geography, or even of politics. It cuts right across all of them. What so many children and young people have in common is a real difficulty in accessing the right services. What frequently unites parents and carers is the feeling that it’s a real fight- sometimes an expensive legal fight- to ensure a child’s needs are properly met.

 

In developing progressive and equitable policies for SEND, Labour would be speaking up for young people and their families throughout the country and society. It would also be making plans to genuinely improve people’s lives.

 

Let’s looking at an example of how Labour might start the process.

 

 

A pledge for SEND

 

We’re still a little way out from a general election, but in policy terms it’s the right time to starting ‘sending a message’, by making a broad call to action.

 

What would such a general pledge to improve SEND services look like? one that is a truly fair and equitable settlement.

 

Labour’s ‘Ten by Ten’ is a useful ‘starter for ten’, because it’s a dynamic list of things the Party says it wants for children. We can certainly emulate some of that energy and ambition.

 

But SEND is a complex policy area, and each child’s needs are different. We can’t simply list ten things we want every SEND child to do. Any SEND pledges would also have to apply to children and young people beyond the age of 10, because needs don’t necessarily disappear at a given age.

 

A statement of SEND policy intent also has to focus on the general role of the state, because meeting needs generally depends on ensuring the right provision is in place. Local services (local authorities and the NHS) are generally the only service provider.

 

As an opening ‘declaration of intent’, we need something that will set out the broad principles for action. More specific policy recommendations can be developed out of these.

 

Here is a proposed ‘Pledge for SEND’:

 

 

 

WE WILL

 

FUND ALL SEND SERVICES SO THEY SATISFY LEVELS OF DEMAND

 

by filling staffing and skills gaps, ending the waiting list culture and eradicating the ‘postcode lottery’. 

 

 

 

INVEST IN THE EXTRAS THAT WILL IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE

 

by giving every child and young person access to a range of accessible activities and amenities- whatever their needs, wherever they live, and just like their peers without SEND enjoy. 

 

UPHOLD THE LAW SO EVERY CHILD ENJOYS THEIR RIGHT TO AN EDUCATION

 

by making sure each local authority and every education provider follows SEND law to the letter; seeding a culture of inclusion in mainstream schools; and by funding new educational places in line with demand. No longer will a child or young person be left without a suitable educational placement.  

 

LISTEN TO CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE WITH SEND, AS WELL AS THEIR CARERS

 

by ending the ‘adversarial’ culture around SEND and ensuring it’s no longer a fight to meet a child or young person’s needs. Local authorities in particular will be monitored to ensure everyone working in the system validates all children and young people, their families, and carers.

 

INSPIRE A ‘CAN DO, WILL DO’ CULTURE AROUND REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS  

 

by monitoring public services and public institutions, from education to healthcare and more, and driving a culture of improvement. We know there is no such thing as ‘one size fits all’ for SEND, so we will see to it that all differences can be accommodated and that individual needs can be met. This starts with completely accepting each child and young person for who they are.

 

MAKE THE WHOLE COUNTRY TRULY ACCESSIBLE

 

by ensuring anyone and everyone can enjoy the key cultural amenities in their local area.  That also includes getting to these places, especially by public transport. Ensuring everyone can get out and about safely and easily will be a top priority in a post-pandemic world.

 

 

SEND needs political champions, and with so much that needs changing, these champions have to start with a clear message of intent.

 

The evidence of the last 12 years strongly suggests that there are few such champions on the government benches. Given this absence of direction and leadership, SEND has to become Labour’s cause, with ideas to match.

 

 

So there’s a suggestion for six pledges. It’s far from perfect, but we’ve got to start somewhere. What’s missing? What would you add? What would you change? Is this too vague? How would you take these broad principles and use them to develop detailed and specific policies?

 

Please leave a comment below

 

Mark Williams is a vice-chair of FEPG.