Opinion

SEND Review: What are we waiting for?

In 2019, the government promised a landmark review of the SEND sector in response to concerns that SEND provision has become a ‘postcode lottery’. Margaret Mulholland asks: Why is it taking so long?


For the third time in a row, the much-vaunted SEND review has been delayed (see APPG, 2021). While we can all appreciate that it has been a busy year, the Department for Education (DfE) has found time to announce a proposal for Latin teaching in state schools and a fast-tracked review of initial teacher training. I can’t help but wonder why the strategy for SEND continues to be missing in action.

Decisions about funding, school improvement and catch-up plans are being made now. In schools, there is no lack of will or commitment to support pupils with SEND. However, schools which seek genuine inclusivity often do so despite the education system, not because of it. A serious rethink of the entire approach to SEND is desperately needed.

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