Reform councils to cut SEN spending

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.. according to the Lib Dem’s. Can they even do this? My DC isn’t SEN but her class has 5 TAs mainly as 121s and I dread what would happen if their funding is removed. Our council isn’t Reform led but they’re pretty neck on neck in no overall control.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2025/apr/24/ed-miliband-energy-pricing-keir-starmer-nigel-farage-latest-live-uk-politics-news

But the data has been commissioned and done by those who are complaining about EHCPs and focusing on outcomes many EHCPs aren’t working towards. It’s meaningless.

You can totally use statistics to disadvantage and victimise the vulnerable, yes. Doesn't mean you should.

The data shows increasing numbers of Sen, the data shows increasing access arrangements. There needs to be a rethink as to how the system works , at present it is not working and too costly.

Suggestions?

Tell Ofsted.

And if we write someone off as a child then what chance do they have of ever being able to contribute to society in some way?

If we had gone from when DS was first in primary school he could have been written off. He is now in year 10 and with a fantastic support package is looking likely to pass his GCSEs. I have no idea what the future holds for him but I know from having the best package we could get in place for him he has the best chance possible.

sadly it took me threatening to take the LA to court to get the proper support in place. Thankfully both of his schools have been amazing and have helped us every step of the way.

And how do you envisage that saving the country money in the long run?

Do you believe that pretending children with SEND have no need of any intervention and support will have no negative impact on them and the non-SEND children who are expected to learn alongside them? Or the teachers who are expected to educate them and 30 other kids?

If even more SEND children end up out of school as a direct result of lack of support or an appropriate classroom environment than there already are, would you be happy to divert money to the benefits bill of parents who are consequently unable to work?

What do you think adulthood will look like for children with SEND whose needs have been ignored? Do you believe they are likely to reach adulthood without a greater need for health and social care interventions than if they had received appropriate and targeted support and interventions at school?

There are many with EHCPs who most definitely can be independent and need EHCPs for the outcomes they need that are relevant to them.

DS2 's "formal" education in basic skills, literacy and numeracy (working towards entry level 2, there) is absolutely essential in giving him a basic understand of the world and the ability to have a voice and a better chance of keeping himself safe and well. We won't be here to look after him forever and his care will be expensive enough when we're gone without him having been left to line up crayons and regress through lack of stimulation for his first 25 years.

His education is no less important to society than yours was.

This!

i think that the point about formal education is worth considering , maybe there is a case for a basic skills education from 11 or younger with focus on basic literacy and numeracy. I don’t think any idea should be off the table as the current system doesn’t work and is not affordable. The increased diagnosis at the one end of the Sen spectrum has encouraged others to seek diagnosis to gain access arrangements and that is a fact. Exam boards have tightened this up as it has been misused and it is unequal across the board

It is absolutely legal, and has happened year on year in my local council.

It’s ridiculous that you think some generic basic skills course will cover need for all kids with SEn.

And again- you don’t need a diagnosis to get access arrangements. The waits are insane for diagnosis anyway and you need evidence to even get through screening so do give up with this narrative.

A diagnosis of dyslexia does not qualify someone for access arrangements.

They will just fuck up the councils then just blame central government for not providing the funds. The gullible who vote for them will swallow it. They know what they’re doing and they won’t care because they know their target voter base will believe anything. It might actually help their cause at the next GE. They’re so predictable.

What do you think special schools are doing already? They have to deliver the national curriculum in a manner appropriate to their pupils but basic skills and therapeutic provision like TACPAC and hydrotherapy are already happening alongside. You cannot deliver this cheaply and safely.

Many pupils with SEND fall outside of the special school system, often on the basis of cognitive ability even if their other needs are severe. How many of these children should be deprived of the chance of some formal qualifications on the basis that they would be no good to an employer, anyhow? There are so many older adults who are functionally illiterate because no one thought they were worth educating. Is that something we should return to?

@R0ckl0bster you don’t need a diagnose for all access arrangements but you do need documentation. There is a tendency for parents and schools to seek preferential treatment and that is fact I am afraid. The system is being used by many. There are however Sen children who need support and that too needs to be rethought , we have situations in schools n the uk where non Sen children’s education is suffering on a daily basis due to the inclusion policy , I don’t believe that is right.

This is according to the Lib Dems, not sure how much they know about Reform's SEN policies. Not much I would imagine.

“Many pupils with SEND fall outside of the special school system, often on the basis of cognitive ability even if their other needs are severe. How many of these children should be deprived of the chance of some formal qualifications on the basis that they would be no good to an employer, anyhow? There are so many older adults who are functionally illiterate because no one thought they were worth educating. Is that something we should return to?”

surely removing very formal education (ie passing exams) and concentrating on basic numeracy and literacy for some sen pupils means they are less likely to leave school ‘functionally illiterate?

So nothing to do with the diagnose process then.

But the SEN children who absolutely should be in mainstream and are not getting the provision they need and are entitled to don’t matter. 🤔

Provision is pitched at the majority not those with SEN so I think you’ll find those with SEN suffer more a whole lot more.

I didn't vote Reform but they haven't actually done anything yet. That's just tactics from the Lib Dems not wanting people to vote for Reform.

With respect, as I said further up, it’s pretty obvious to a lot of people that this will be true. They have already shown contempt for minorities by saying in their ‘’contract’’ they want to scrap the Equality Act 2010, and by Farage saying himself after the election results the other day that he wants to get rid of DEI and WFH which will obviously effect the disabled and other minorities because that’s far too woke isn’t it?

Add Richard Tice saying on morning tv that councils spend too much on ergonomic chairs. Ergonomic chairs are there for the comfort of disabled workers. He reckons they don’t need them. If you can’t see what’s happening here, I just don’t know what to say to you. They’re telling you exactly who they are. If they can reduce SEN funding, trust me, they will.

@R0ckl0bsterpeople have different experiences and it will vary across the country. My views are that the focus upon Sen has seen the focus move away from the majority. The creasing diagnoses level are not credible , furled by parents and schools levels to increase support etc etc the list goes on . That may not be true in some areas/schools but it is sadly the case in others.

And your evidence for this ridiculous accusation?