Morning, Friday, 18th July 2025
Online
This conference will assess next steps for SEND provision in England.
Delegates will discuss options for reform, expanding inclusive provision, and ways forward for addressing ongoing challenges identified in recent policy and research.
It will bring stakeholders and policymakers together to discuss next steps for policy and reform of the SEND system, following commitments outlined in the Plan for Change: Milestones for Mission-led Government relating to support, inclusion and funding, as well as allocation by the Government of £1bn for SEND in the autumn and £740m to create 10,000 new school places for children with SEND, as well as indications that the Government may be considering publishing a SEND white paper.
Attendees will consider immediate issues such as addressing substantial funding deficits projected to impact local authority SEND budgets by March 2026, alongside strategies to expand specialist capacity within mainstream schools.
We expect discussion on priorities following the funding commitment for specialist capacity by the DfE and implications of increasing pressures on public spending. Concerns raised by local authorities regarding potential insolvencies will be considered, alongside proposals for greater local control over SEND assessments and funding decisions.
Sessions will also discuss longer-term strategies, including potential revisions to the Children and Families Act 2014 to address systemic challenges highlighted by recent NAO and IFS reports, particularly around sustainability, accountability, and the increased demand for Education, Health and Care Plans. Discussion is expected on stakeholder suggestions for improving data collection, best practices for inclusion in mainstream education following the appointment by government of an expert advisory group on inclusion, and proposals for enhancing multi-agency collaboration. Options for Local Inclusion Partnerships and development of a national framework for inclusive education will also be examined, alongside practical considerations for specialist school capacity and financial accountability.
We also expect the agenda to bring out latest thinking on proposals to strengthen early identification and support for SEND pupils, alongside how potential legislative and regulatory changes might influence parental rights, local authority accountability, and financial models underpinning specialist provision. The future for resource distribution and increasing transparency will be considered, and wider options for addressing variation in SEND provision.
With the agenda currently in the drafting stage, overall areas for discussion include:
- policy:
- anticipated proposals in the upcoming SEND white paper - potential revisions to the Children and Families Act 2014 - options for the long-term structure of the SEND system
- improving inclusion, accountability and sustainability of SEND provision - clarification in legislation of responsibilities and entitlements across education, health and care
- local authority finances:
- implications of ending the statutory override in March 2026 - addressing projected rising SEND deficits
- options for debt management and maintaining local authority solvency in the face of demand - strategic options for sustainable funding going forward
- inclusion:
- practical steps of increasing inclusion in mainstream schools - strategies for improving staff expertise and capacity
- identifying and promulgating effective inclusive practice - outcomes of the call for evidence on inclusion
- specialist provision and capacity:
- responding to rising EHCP demand - allocation and use of DfE investment - addressing geographical disparities and placement pressures - addressing costs and concerns related to private providers
- accountability and oversight:
- inspection and assessment mechanisms - findings from Ofsted and CQC inspection review - assessing proposals for improved national oversight
- strategic options for achieving quality and equity in provision
- legal rights and tribunals:
- stakeholder perspectives on reform proposals - implications of limiting parental rights of appeal or tribunal authority
- maintaining trust and clarity in decision-making - safeguarding fairness in access to support
- data and transparency:
- identifying and addressing gaps in national data on need and capacity - optimal use of data to inform planning and reduce variation in provision
- approaches and best practice in joined-up system planning - assessing proposals for improving transparency and benchmarking
- cross-sector collaboration:
- development of Local Inclusion Partnerships - effective multi-agency coordination - consistency across health, education, and social care - models for integrated support and early intervention
- outcomes and progression:
- tracking and measurement of long-term attainment and progression for pupils with SEND - improving support for transition into further education or employment
- long-term strategic priorities:
- implications of a complete recalibration of the SEND system - identifying best practice for delivery at local and national levels
- options for national frameworks or a dedicated body for inclusion - potential pathways to a financially and educationally sustainable system for the future
