Only one in four local services for disabled children in England provide support that truly makes a positive difference in their lives. Out of 28 inspections conducted in 2024, merely seven were rated positively, while six revealed severe systemic issues and 15 showed inconsistent results.
The inspections, carried out jointly by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission since January 2023, aim to evaluate local services for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Dr. Edmore Masendeke from The Alliance for Inclusive Education warns that segregated education is dismantling progress toward inclusive learning, leaving many disabled children behind.
Alarmingly, regional disparities exist, with the East Midlands and North West performing poorly. In contrast, the North East, Yorkshire, and the Humber showed better results, with four areas rated positively. London also fared relatively well, with three positive ratings.
The inspections assess education, health, and social care services, including:
- Education Structure: How local education is organized and delivered
- Health Service Performance: Quality and accessibility of health services
- Transitions to Adult Services: Support for young people transitioning to adulthood
- Short-Break Care: Respite care for families
- Employment Support: Help for young people with SEND to find employment.
Masendeke emphasizes that protections provided by Education, Health and Care plans are under threat due to government policies favoring segregated settings. Ofsted acknowledges the SEND system’s heavy pressure but stresses the need for improvement to ensure proper support for disabled children. With over 576,000 children having Education, Health and Care plans and 1.2 million receiving SEN support, the need for change is pressing.
