Think Tank Reports No Political Party has Plans to Fund Special Needs Pupils
The Education Policy Institute (EPI) has warned that the absence of commitments from political parties regarding SEND funding poses a serious threat to provision, given the existing pressures on services.
The EPI’s analysis of the main political parties in England revealed that none of them have made definitive commitments to address the level of funding for special educational needs and disability (SEND) in their manifestos. This lack of urgency and detail on how to support SEND pupils is a matter of pressing concern.
While some parties have made certain commitments, none of them comprehensively address the challenges of the SEND system. The report emphasizes the urgent need for more detailed commitments, especially in light of the precarious state of high needs funding.
The EPI report highlights that the lack of clear commitments from political parties on SEND funding is alarming, as it jeopardizes both specialist provision and the financial sustainability of local authorities.
‘No Clear Commitments’ From Labour
The report outlines the pledges made by various parties, such as the Tories promising more school places and free schools for children with SEND. However, the report notes that these provisions are not immediate and could take several years to materialize.
The Liberal Democrats have committed to providing additional funding to local authorities for EHCPs but have not specified the exact amount or criteria for determining it.
In response to Labour’s commitments to improve expertise in mainstream schools, the report criticizes the lack of clarity on how the party plans to support SEND provision across different school settings.
The report points out the insufficient provision for disabled children at the preschool level, showcasing a significant gap in local authorities’ capacity to support these children.
Lack of Commitments
The wider report funded by the Nuffield Foundation highlights the lack of clear commitments to school funding in the manifestos of both the Conservatives and Labour. It also mentions the absence of firm commitments on school teacher pay and the inadequate addressing of recruitment challenges in the early years sector by all parties.
The report expresses concerns about the vagueness surrounding school funding packages and their potential impact on key areas of need within the education system.
Jon Andrews, head of analysis at the EPI, raised serious questions about the effectiveness of the parties’ plans in addressing the education system’s pressing needs due to the lack of clear funding commitments.
A Conservative spokesman defended the party’s track record on school standards and funding, while the Liberal Democrats highlighted their ambitious solutions for the education sector.
The report’s findings underscore the critical need for political parties to make clear and concrete commitments to address the challenges in the SEND system and ensure adequate funding for all children with special educational needs and disabilities.
