The UK National Audit Office's recent report on support for children and young people with special educational needs underscores a reality we’re all too familiar with, that the current system is broken and requires urgent reform. These challenges, however, have also sparked ingenuity and created an unwavering desire across the education sector to do the very best possible, despite the system. The reports key recommendations – emphasising inclusive education in mainstream schools, improving coordination between local authorities, schools, and health services, and prioritizing early identification and intervention – are at the core of BeyondAutism Fast Responder®. The service, which provides rapid intervention and inclusive support in mainstream schools, is a cost-effective model with proven positive outcomes. Where the report identifies a lack of confidence among families, we prioritise a whole team approach, centring family voices in every step of the process. At BeyondAutism, we’re offering the opportunity for systemic change, making budgets stretch further with positive outcomes for many more autistic children and their families. While the ‘broken system’ narrative may feel like a broken record, our commitment to leading autism education is stronger than ever. Join us in making a difference. Get involved. Talk to us. Donate today. https://lnkd.in/eQ9Xm3xD
England’s special educational needs (SEN) system is not delivering for children and young people. It is financially unsustainable and in urgent need of reform. https://lnkd.in/dVkmNYyX Despite increased annual investment the special educational needs system has not delivered better outcomes for children with SEN, and local authorities are still facing serious financial risk. Our latest report found that local authorities dedicated schools grant deficits could reach £4.6 billion by March 2026. This leaves two-fifths of local authorities at risk of issuing a section 114 notice, meaning they could effectively be bankrupt once the accounting arrangement protecting their reserves ends. The Department for Education (DfE) committed to improving the system in the Improvement Plan 2023 created by the previous government. There is no evidence these will fully address challenges facing the system. We recommend government: • urgently share plans with local authorities facing financial risk after March 2026 • considers whole system reform • decides how current investment can be better spent • develops a vision and long-term plan for inclusivity across mainstream education Report director, Emma Willson, provides an overview 👇 Read more: https://lnkd.in/dVkmNYyX
