London needs thousands of school places for SEND pupils

Over 200,000 children and young people in London have some level of special education need or disability and London requires thousands of new school places for them, according to a London Assembly Education Panel report .

In the last ten years there has been a 20 per cent increase in the number with high-level needs and the types of need are increasingly complex.

There are concerns that the level of funding provided to schools for pupils with high needs is insufficient to provide the quality support they need.

The report, ‘Together: Transforming the lives of children and young people with special education needs and disabilities in London’, examines the challenges facing children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND). It recommends the Mayor of London keeps pressure on government to ensure real terms funding increases per pupil with high needs, and the creation of new special schools, where the need is greatest.

The report also calls for more support for young people as they exit the school system and move into the world of work.

A dedicated training centre for Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs) should be created and a SEND champion should be appointed to promote the views of children and young people with SEND within London Government.

Jennette Arnold OBE AM, Chair of the Education Panel, said: “London faces profound challenges regarding Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND), in terms of capacity and funding. I’ve witnessed some truly inspiring work being done by nursery staff, teachers, teaching assistants, health professionals, council staff and volunteers, but this sector needs close attention.

“The Mayor has a critical role to play in addressing the challenges we have found. He needs to up his game and include SEND in his Social Inclusion Strategy. Demand is increasing and what will happen with these children and young people in terms of their future job prospects? Our children deserve better”