“This analysis shows the importance of the government getting its planned SEND reforms right from a financial perspective. We clearly cannot continue with a situation where spiralling costs are being funded by squeezing mainstream school funding – effectively robbing Peter to pay Paul – and where even then the level of need outstrips the money available for SEND support.

“The pressure on funding has left many schools having to make cutbacks on their curriculum, pastoral support, and extracurricular activities as well as increasing class sizes. The situation is, if anything, even worse in colleges where funding is still some way short of where it was in real terms 15 years ago.

“However, aside from the financial considerations, it is more important still that the planned SEND reforms deliver real improvements for families. While there is fantastic work going on in many schools and colleges to support young people with SEND, the system as a whole is not meeting the current level of need in the way it should. Parents and schools are left frustrated with delays to EHCPs, funding is inadequate, and specialists are in short supply. It is a situation which often results in gaps in support, and tensions with families.

“Reforming the system is a huge undertaking which will require significant investment and a funding model that is sustainable. This cannot be done on the cheap. An improved SEND system may prove more cost-effective in the long-run, but it will require upfront investment to build the level of provision in mainstream schools which is critical to an improved system – one which really delivers for children and families.”