Commenting on the Government earmarking £740m to create more specialist places in mainstream schools, Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“The swift response from government to the worrying findings of the NAO Inquiry into SEND is welcome and a reflection of how seriously they are taking the current SEND crisis.
“£740m is a good starting point for helping schools to create more inclusive environments. Further investment will be needed, however, in staffing, pastoral teams and access to SEND and mental health specialists alongside the repositioning of curriculum and assessment.
“We know that there are more young people with Autism and ADHD in schools whose needs are not being met so the Neurodivergence Task and Finish group is welcomed, but its investigations must include the voices and experiences of classroom practitioners themselves in order to make the difference that is so vitally needed.
"The NEU also welcomes the pause in entering new Safety Valve agreements. Safety Valve was a sticking plaster. A quarter of local authorities being in Safety Valve is a sign of a broken system. The Budget promised £865m in 2025-26 to reduce local authority SEND deficits in 2025-26. This is a welcome recognition of reality but what is really needed is a recasting of the system to prioritise early intervention.”