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This conference will assess next steps for improving SEND provision in England.
Delegates will discuss options for reform, expanding inclusive provision, and ways forward for addressing ongoing challenges identified in recent policy and research.
Policy, investment and support
The conference is bringing together stakeholders and policymakers to discuss next steps for policy and reform of the SEND system, following commitments on support, inclusion and funding outlined in the Government’s Plan for Change, and how best to apply the allocation of £1bn for SEND in the Autumn Budget and £740m for 10,000 new school places for children with SEND.
It will also be an opportunity to assess priorities for a possible SEND white paper, as well as key issues emerging from the Education Select Committee’s ongoing Solving the SEND Crisis inquiry, looking at how best to achieve both stability and sustainability for the SEND system, and how children and young people with SEND can be better supported.
Targeting funding and building capacity
Attendees will consider immediate issues such as addressing substantial funding deficits, projected to impact local authority SEND budgets by over £5bn, alongside strategies to expand specialist capacity within mainstream schools. The future for resource distribution and increasing transparency will be considered, and wider options for addressing variation in SEND provision.
We expect discussion on priorities for channelling funding committed for specialist capacity and implications of increasing pressures on public spending. Concerns raised by local authorities regarding potential insolvencies will be considered, alongside proposals for greater local control over SEND assessments and funding decisions.
Long-term strategy and collaboration
Sessions will also discuss longer-term strategies, including potential revisions to the Children and Families Act 2014 aimed at addressing systemic challenges highlighted by recent NAO and IFS reports, particularly around sustainability, accountability, and the increased demand for Education, Health and Care Plans. Approaches to improving data collection will be assessed, as well as best practice for inclusion in mainstream education following the appointment of an expert advisory group, and strategy for enhancing multi-agency collaboration.
Options for Local Inclusion Partnerships and development of a national framework for inclusive education will also be examined, alongside practical considerations for specialist school capacity and financial accountability.
Early intervention and specialist provision
The agenda will bring out latest thinking on proposals to strengthen early identification and support for SEND pupils, alongside how potential legislative and regulatory changes might influence parental rights, local authority accountability, and financial models underpinning specialist provision.
Overall, areas for discussion include:
- policy:
- potential revisions to the Children and Families Act 2014 - options for improving the long-term structure of the SEND system - considerations for the Government ahead of a potential SEND white paper
- improving inclusion, accountability and sustainability of SEND provision - clarifying responsibilities and entitlements across education, health and care
- local authority finances:
- implications of ending the statutory override in March 2026 - addressing projected rising SEND deficits
- options for debt management and maintaining local authority solvency in the face of rising demand - strategic options for sustainable funding going forward
- inclusion:
- practical steps of increasing inclusion in mainstream schools - strategies for improving staff expertise and capacity
- identifying and promoting effective inclusive practice - outcomes of the call for evidence on Inclusion in Practice
- specialist provision and capacity:
- responding to rising demand for EHCPs - allocation and use of funding - addressing geographical disparities and placement pressures - addressing costs and concerns related to private providers
- accountability and oversight:
- inspection and assessment mechanisms - findings from the Ofsted and CQC SEND inspection review - proposals for improved national oversight - working towards quality and equity in provision
- legal rights and tribunals:
- assessing reform proposals - implications of limiting parental rights of appeal or tribunal authority - maintaining trust and clarity in decision-making - safeguarding fairness in access to support
- data and transparency:
- identifying and addressing gaps in national data on need and capacity - optimal use of data to inform planning and reduce variation in provision
- approaches and best practice in joined-up system planning - assessing proposals for improving transparency and benchmarking
- cross-sector collaboration:
- development of Local Inclusion Partnerships - effective multi-agency coordination - consistency across health, education, and social care - models for integrated support and early intervention
- outcomes and progression:
- tracking and measurement of long-term attainment and progression for pupils with SEND - improving support for transitioning into further education or employment
- long-term strategic priorities:
- implications of a complete recalibration of the SEND system - identifying best practice for delivery at local and national levels
- options for national frameworks or a dedicated body for inclusion - potential pathways to a financially and educationally sustainable system for the future
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. As well as key stakeholders, those due to attend include officials from DfE; Hoc Library; Ofsted; and Education Scotland.
