Ofsted Warns of Strain on SEND Services
Ofsted has warned that outcomes for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) are poor, highlighting a “fundamental mismatch” between the increasing demand for support and the resources available. Its annual report, published on 5 December 2024, revealed that the number of children with SEND continues to rise, putting further pressure on an already overstretched system.
The report noted ongoing inconsistencies and weaknesses in SEND arrangements, with many children not receiving the appropriate support at the right time. Ofsted attributed this to ineffective information sharing across partnerships, as well as weak joint commissioning, governance, and oversight.
While not all children with SEND will require an Education, Health, and Care (EHC) plan, Ofsted stressed that many needs could and should be met in mainstream schools, stating:
“The needs of many children with SEND can and should be met in mainstream schools with high-quality targeted support”.
The regulator called for early interventions to prevent needs from escalating and becoming entrenched, warning that widespread use of EHC plans could strain resources, leaving those most in need without the necessary special educational provision.
Ofsted also emphasised the importance of appointing qualified Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCo) in all schools, as required by the Department for Education’s SEND Code of Practice.
Commenting on the broader education landscape, Ofsted acknowledged significant challenges, such as worsened attendance issues, disrupted learning etc.
The annual report can be found HERE
