Today (06/11/2024), Jeff Smith MP responds to a damning report on support for children with special educational needs and disabilities, assessing how well the system is delivering for children and young people.

The report published by the National Audit Office (NAO), the UK’s independent public spending watchdog, was critical of the Conservative government’s approach and the resulting impact on children’s outcomes.

The report contains a number of troubling findings. It concluded that for years, there had been ‘no consistent improvement’ in outcomes for children and young people with SEN, noting that ‘families and children lack confidence in the system’. Looking ahead, it recommended that the new Labour government should consider ‘whole-system’ reform.

Jeff Smith, MP for Manchester Withington, said he had heard the message loud and clear – not just from the NAO but from constituents since taking office:

“I’ve been contacted by local schools facing real challenges due to inadequate SEND funding and long waits for essential services. Schools are stepping in to fill these gaps, often at great cost, but this isn’t sustainable. Urgent action is needed to ensure every child receives the support they deserve.” 

Jeff assured constituents that the Labour government hears their views and is committed to further engagement with the SEND community as it paves the way for reform. Highlighting one of Labour’s five key missions, to break down the barriers to opportunity for every child, Jeff said SEND would be crucial in the government’s work to fulfil its aims.

Nevertheless, the MP for Manchester Withington was eager to stress the need for patience, outlining the scale of the challenge facing the government and keen not to overpromise to wary parents with experience of the system, who had heard ‘too many false promises’.

Since leaving government, Conservative Shadow Ministers have reflected on the SEND system with one telling a reception at Conservative Party Conference that his government ‘did not do enough’ on SEND and as a result they should ‘hang [their] heads in shame’. The previous Conservative Education Secretary had also labelled the system ‘lose, lose, lose’.

Jeff Smith promised he would back the Labour government plans to reform the system and champion constituents with experience of this issue.

Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education, said:

“The NAO’s report shows that the SEND system we have inherited has totally lost the confidence of families. Labour is absolutely committed to restoring that confidence.

“My predecessor labelled the system ‘lose, lose, lose’, while current Tory Shadow Ministers say they should ‘hang [their] heads in shame’ over their record. I agree.

“But there is light at the end of the tunnel, Labour will build a system where every child is able to achieve and thrive.”

Jeff Smith, MP for Manchester Withington, said:

“SEND is a topic that comes up on the doorstep and in my surgeries in Manchester Withington. I know that reforming the system is an important priority for many people.

“I’ll be backing this Labour government every step of the way in Parliament to deliver on our mission to break down the barriers to opportunity for every child. SEND will play a crucial part in that mission.

“In the constituency, I’ll continue to engage with those with lived experience of the system, to listen to views and work to deliver on the mandate for change.”