Mar 29, 2022, The Big Issue: SEND green paper: Ministers wrong to suggest culture is the problem in underfunded schools, say experts https://www.bigissue.com/news/social-justice/send-green-paper-ministers-wrong-to-suggest-culture-is-the-problem-in-underfunded-schools-say-experts/
The long-awaited SEND green paper has done little to ease fears around budget cuts in England’s schools, leaders said
Ministers must give both mainstream and special schools the funding they need to support all children, experts said, warning that the SEND green paper will not trigger progress while schools are forced to operate on shoestring budgets.
School leaders have objected to the suggestion that mainstream schools need to “change their culture” to be more inclusive of pupils with special educational needs after the government published its long-awaited proposals.
The green paper on special educational needs and disability (SEND) – outlining proposals to improve outcomes for children with special educational needs and disabilities – was delayed three times after the government launched a review in 2019.
It sets out plans for new national standards to improve performance across SEND provision, plus a legal requirement on councils to bring together early years, schools and education for older children with local health and care services in a way that makes different agencies’ responsibilities clearer.
The report also recommends changing the “culture and practice” in mainstream schools to identify support needs earlier and more effectively. But the proposals will do little to undo years of budget cuts, experts said….
“This paper has been delayed three times, taken nearly 1,000 days to put together, yet it still fails to deliver the transformation in support needed to change this picture,” said Bridget Phillipson, Labour’s shadow education secretary….
Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said the proposals would end the “postcode lottery” for support. Image: Simon Dawson/UK Government
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