Solving the SEND crisis inquiry launch and call for evidence

The Education Select Committee

The Education Select Committee is a cross-party group of MPs led by Chair, Helen Hayes MP. A full list of the Committee’s membership can be found online. The Education Committee scrutinises the work of the Department for Education, covering children’s social care, schools, colleges, the early years and higher education. The Committee also holds regular hearings with DfE’s arms-length bodies, including Ofsted, Ofqual and the Children’s Commissioner.

Scope of the inquiry

A number of recent reports have set out in detail the extent of the crisis in the SEND system, which is letting down children and their families, creating intense pressure on local authority funding and on schools.

This inquiry will focus on how to achieve both short term stability and long-term sustainability for the SEND system to improve experiences and outcomes for children and young people. The Committee will seek evidence on short term actions to stabilise the SEND system which is currently experiencing increased demand, protracted waiting times and increased pressure on schools and local authorities.

The Committee will also be looking at how, beyond stability, long term sustainability of the SEND system can be achieved to support and improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

Mindful of previous reviews that have taken place in this area, and the evidence that already exists about the nature and scale of the problem, the Committee would welcome evidence primarily focused on solutions.

We will take particular care to ensure that the voices and experiences of children and young people with SEND are at the heart of our inquiry.  We welcome evidence from parents and carers, early years settings, schools, local authorities, voluntary sector organisations, professionals, sector bodies and anyone else with an interest in the system of support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

The Committee will be accepting evidence via the Education Select Committee website until Thursday 30th January 2025, you can find out more by reading the call for evidence. If you have any further questions please be in touch.

The Select Committee would appreciate you sharing this information with others in your network who may also be interested in submitting evidence.