Let’s get SEND right: what are autistic people, parents and educators saying about Government reforms?
Our Campaigns team share important insights and collective concerns from our survey of autistic people, parents, carers and education professionals on the Government’s planned SEND reforms.
Since the first rumours that the Government was planning to reform the education system, we’ve been calling for the Government to use this as an opportunity to get Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) reform right.
Since February, when the Government’s plans were published, we have surveyed over 1,000 autistic people, parents, carers and education professionals. We’ve spoken to families who are forced to fight too hard and too long for support, some never getting it. While every story we’ve heard is unique, one clear message is clear: the SEND system needs radical change.
“Listen to the people and parents with lived experience. We hold the answers if only you’d hear what we are saying. Our autistic kids want to learn.”
Collecting and sharing the experiences of those at the centre of the education system has been a key component of this campaign, because it’s vital for the Government to listen to and learn from them when making decisions. Right now, trust and confidence in the Government is low. Autistic people, their families and those who teach them do not currently feel listened to or valued.
“There is a huge amount of work to do to change the current system and to gain the trust of parents of children with SEND.”
- Only 15% of autistic people, parents and carers feel like their views on SEND reform are listened to and valued by the Government.
- Only 4% of education professionals feel like their views on SEND reform are mostly or completely listened to and valued by the Government.
This difficulty to be heard is particularly concerning because the issues being raised by families, young people and professionals highlight serious concerns across every aspect of the system. These concerns are so severe that parents and professionals feel the safety of children with SEND is being compromised.
- 65% of school staff worry about keeping SEND children safe because of a lack of capacity.
- 88% worry about being able to support mental health and wellbeing for children with SEND because of a lack of capacity.
- Just 11% of autistic people and parents/ carers said the right support and resources are in place to make sure children with SEND are safe at school.
Responses to our survey indicate a real lack of confidence that the reforms will achieve the Government’s stated ambitions, with many expressing concerns about the extent to which the reforms will address core issues in the education system.
“We need resources and adults to deliver provision, but unless the Government really addresses the core reasons why children are struggling so much, no reform will have the impact required.”
- Not a single respondent to our education professionals had complete confidence that the reforms announced would address the main problems with the SEND system.
- Only 1% of autistic people, parents and carers trust the Government that these reforms will improve experiences for children with SEND and their families.
The impact of chronic underfunding and persistent budget cuts can be felt right across the education system, with many citing this as one of the most important issues to tackle.
“Children with SEND are being let down by a system that is too slow, underfunded and inconsistent. Families often have to fight for support, facing long delays and limited provision. There needs to be earlier identification, faster access to help and more consistent support across all areas. Most importantly, children with SEND should be listened to and their needs prioritised.”
- Only 5% of education professionals say that current funding and staff capacity are enough to fully support children with SEND where they work.
- Only 5% of autistic people, parents and carers think teachers are given the resources and support required to meet the needs of children with SEND.
In the past, we have seen parents, education professionals and young people pitted against one another as though they were on different sides, fighting for different things. The response to our campaign, however, reveals a different and far more united reality. Professionals, young people with SEND and their families are highlighting the same issues and want the same things from education reforms. They all want professionals to be given the tools, resources and time to adequately support children with SEND.
“As someone who passionately works in this sector, I feel frustrated and exhausted at the struggle we have daily to help the children with SEND, and I feel like we are massively letting them down. It’s heartbreaking to see the children disengaged, frightened and failing to thrive every single day and all because of a lack of staff or the correct person or people to help support them.”
“The Government needs to identify and address the root problems in the system and take a long-term view to change them. I’m so tired of sticky plasters trying to hold up failing systems. Pushing the burden onto teachers, who are already over stretched, under paid and unqualified re SEND, won’t fix things.”
While the experiences shared during this campaign can be hard to confront, this consensus is powerful. The dedication to fight for a better education system from thousands is heartening and hopeful. Together, we really are stronger and our message is louder.
We are expecting the Government to formally respond to the consultation on education reform in the autumn and for the start of the legislation period to follow shortly afterwards. In the meantime, we will be working hard to show the Government how much they have to learn from autistic people, their families and those who teach them so that SEND reforms are truly ambitious, radical and properly resourced.
