UK Parliament recently debated on the crisis in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) support, sparked by a petition with over 122,000 signatures. In this extended episode, Members of Parliament describe an adversarial system that is failing families with long delays, funding gaps, and emotional distress. Key themes include the urgent need for early intervention, increased capacity in schools, and better teacher training. The debate stresses that any reform must protect children's legal rights and help them reach their full potential.

Key Takeaways

• The current SEND system is widely described by MPs as "broken," "adversarial," and in "crisis," causing immense stress for children and their families.
• Parents frequently face long, exhausting legal battles to secure the support their children are entitled to, with tribunals overwhelmingly siding with families against local authorities.
• There is a severe funding crisis, with local authorities facing huge deficits while the costs of private specialist placements are soaring.
• MPs from all parties called for a shift towards early intervention, more specialist school places, and mandatory SEND training for all teachers.
• A major concern is that upcoming government reforms could weaken or remove the crucial legal rights that Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) provide.

Important Definitions and Concepts

• SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities): A legal term for a child who needs extra or different help in school due to a learning difficulty or disability. A formal diagnosis is not required to be identified as having SEND.
• EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan): A legally binding document that outlines the special educational, health, and social care support a child or young person from birth to age 25 requires.

Source: Children with SEND: Assessments and Support
Volume 772: debated on Monday 15 September 2025

Support the show

Follow and subscribe to 'The Bench Report' on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube for new episodes Mon-Thurs: thebenchreport.co.uk

Subscribe to our Substack for in depth analysis of debates past and present.

Shape our next episode or article! Get in touch with an issue important to you - Producer Tom will grab another coffee and start the research!

Email us: [email protected]

Follow us on YouTube, X, Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram @BenchReportUK

Support us for bonus and extended episodes + more.

No outside chatter: source material only taken from Hansard and the Parliament UK website.

Contains Parliamentary information repurposed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0....