The State of SEND in Schools – Could you do More? 

The demand for support with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision in schools is growing, yet funding, resources, and infrastructure often fail to meet the needs of pupils, teachers, and families.  

As the pressure on schools increases, we need to examine the current challenges and reflect on actions that ensure every child, regardless of their strengths and needs, has access to the education they deserve. The impact this is having on the whole school community is already apparent, but how do schools and academy trusts even begin to address this? 

The Funding Gap (Per-Pupil Funding vs. SEND Provision) 

Education funding in England has long been a contentious issue, but the gap between funding for mainstream pupils and those with SEND is particularly worrisome. While the average funding per pupil has seen modest increases, the additional funding allocated for pupils with SEND often falls short of covering the true cost of support. 

Schools are having to steer their way through intricate needs, from one-to-one teaching assistants and specialist equipment, to tailored interventions and more. Yet, the funding they receive from LAs often doesn’t accurately reflect the reality of these expenses.  

Recent reports reveal that schools are often forced to divert resources from wider school budgets, leaving them unable to meet the needs of both SEND and non-SEND pupils effectively. For many MATs and Local Authority maintained schools, this creates a vicious cycle of stretched budgets, unmet needs, and growing frustration amongst all involved. 

A Bottleneck in Diagnoses and EHCPs 

For lots of families, the journey to secure a diagnosis and an EHCP is prolonged and challenging. Current reports and statistics paint a harsh picture, with waiting times for initial assessments often exceeding proposed timeframes, and some families reporting delays of over 18 months. 

Without a formal diagnosis or an EHCP, pupils with SEND struggle to access the support they deserve, leading to unmet learning needs and increased behavioural challenges. Schools, meanwhile, are left unable to allocate appropriate resources or secure additional funding without the legal framework an EHCP provides. 

The Impact on Teachers and Staff 

The challenges of supporting pupils with SEND are amplified by insufficient training, inadequate resources, and overwhelming workloads. Teachers are expected to differentiate lessons, manage behavioural issues, and provide emotional support, often without the necessary tools or expertise in place. 

Support staff often step into these gaps but are similarly under-resourced and undertrained. This results in a workforce that feels overstretched and undervalued, with increasing rates of burnout – all huge factors in turnover in the education sector - which impact the entire school community. 

The Impact on Parents 

For parents, the struggle can be extremely heartbreaking. Securing a diagnosis, fighting for an EHCP, and advocating for their child’s needs frequently feels like a full time job, on top of the day to day, leaving many parents feeling isolated and frustrated. Private assessments and additional support can also be expensive, leaving families to choose between their child’s education and other essential needs, putting additional strains on relationships, mental health, and overall wellbeing. 

The Impact on Pupils with SEND 

The most significant impact, however, is felt by the pupils themselves. Children and young people with SEND often face an uphill battle to access the education they are entitled to. Without timely interventions, they may fall behind, struggle socially, and face challenges to their mental health and self-esteem. 

In the longer term, pupils with unmet SEND needs are at higher risk of exclusion, poorer academic outcomes, and disengagement.  This is more than just a question of equality. It is necessary to ensure every child can access to the education and resources they need to live a full and happy life. 

"Up and down the country, we see schools struggling to ensure all their children make the progress they know they can. Through our work with school and trust leaders, we know that carefully planned strategic changes can materially improve the universal and targeted provision they are able to offer and therefore work to improve their pupil’s outcomes."  

Rik Chilvers, Head of SEND, Judicium Education 

So, how can schools begin to address these challenges? 

1. Collaboration with Multi-Agency Teams
   For example, work closely with local authorities to reduce delays with EHCP’s whilst keeping parents regularly informed so they feel supported, as well as reviewing plans frequently to ensure they meet the pupil’s needs. 
   
   
2. Provide meaningful CPD to staff
   Train teachers and support staff on specific SEND needs, like autism, ADHD, or speech and language difficulties. This helps them feel confident in managing challenges and creating an inclusive classroom.  
   
   
3. Communicate with parents
   Strengthen relationships with families by arranging regular meetings and workshops. Involving parents in planning ensures their child’s needs are understood and met. 
   
   
4. Make the most of SEND Budgets
   Ensure SEND funding is spent where it’s needed most, from specialist resources to additional staff training. Explore extra funding opportunities and review spending regularly.
   
   
5. Listen to pupils with SEND
   Ask SEND pupils about their experiences e.g. through surveys or conversations. Their feedback can really help you to influence better support and ensures their voices are heard. 

How Judicium Education can help with SEND provision… 

By working collaboratively with schools and parents, we help with creating an environment where pupils with SEND receive the education they deserve, where staff feel confident and supported, and where parents can trust the system to deliver for their children. From expert advice and guidance to annual audits and tailored training for staff, our SEND Support Service has been designed specifically to address the challenges you face every day.

Find out more here