Commenting on the publication of a joint report from Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission about provision for young people with SEND who are preparing for adulthood, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
"Local authorities and schools are on their knees. Weaknesses within the system are coming to a head, and it is SEND students leaving education that will bear the brunt. Ofsted must recognise the challenges the sector is facing and consider a more supportive approach.
"We need to see significantly improved funding and a joined-up working approach which increases the capacity of local authorities, health services and schools to meet demand and provide effective support. Young people with SEND deserve an independent and successful transition to adulthood, whether that is further study or work. This could be with or without an EHC plan. If families and SEND young people are to get by without an EHC plan, then they need to have a reason to be confident in the system of provision. We would like to see Supported Internships being based on need rather than having a diagnosis and the relevant paperwork."