Following a critical report from the National Audit Office (NAO), Aylesbury’s Labour MP, Laura Kyrke-Smith, has urgently called for a complete overhaul of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) support system. The report highlights severe failings, including long waiting times and a lack of resources, prompting the MP to raise the issue in Parliament and demand immediate action to help struggling families.
NAO Report Exposes a System on the Brink
A recent report by the National Audit Office, released on Thursday, 24 October, has laid bare the deep-seated problems within the current SEND framework. The findings paint a grim reality for thousands of families across the country.
The investigation concluded that the system is failing to deliver improved outcomes for young people with special educational needs and disabilities. Many schools simply do not have the capacity or resources to provide the necessary support, leaving students without the help they need to thrive.
Furthermore, the report warns of severe financial instability for local authorities. It states that over two-fifths of councils are at risk of going bankrupt if the current pressures on the SEND system are not addressed through significant structural reforms.
Aylesbury MP Highlights Local Struggles in Parliament
In response to the report, Laura Kyrke-Smith took the concerns of her Aylesbury constituents directly to Parliament. She spoke about the immense challenges local families face daily, from prolonged delays in securing school placements to unreliable transport services that add significant stress.
“The SEND system takes a real toll on parents and carers,” Kyrke-Smith stated, sharing stories from constituents who feel ignored and stigmatized. These families often navigate a complex and frustrating process just to get an assessment for their child, let alone the actual support they are entitled to.
The key issues raised by the MP for her constituency include:
- Extended Waiting Times: Families are left in limbo for months, waiting for an appropriate school place for their child.
- Unreliable Transport: The difficulty in arranging consistent and safe transportation adds a major logistical burden for parents and carers.
These problems are not just administrative hurdles; they have a profound emotional impact on families who are already dealing with significant challenges.
Surging Demand Overwhelms an Already Strained System
The crisis is worsened by a dramatic rise in the number of children requiring support. Data shows that the demand for Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans, which outline the support a child needs, has skyrocketed in recent years.
Between 2015 and 2024, there was a staggering 140% increase in children with EHC plans, with the total number reaching 576,000. This surge puts immense pressure on local councils and schools.
| Year | Number of EHC Plan Requests |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 206,000 |
| 2024 | 576,000 |
Locally, Bucks Council saw a 12% increase in requests for EHC plan assessments in the 2023/24 period alone. This continuous rise in demand without a corresponding increase in resources is a primary driver of the system’s current failings.
Government Response and Political Tensions
The government has acknowledged the challenges but has been slow to provide concrete solutions. The Education Secretary recognized the issues highlighted in the NAO report but did not offer specific details on how a £40 billion revenue shortfall impacting public services would be addressed.
This has led to a heated political debate. The Conservative Party has accused Labour of making vague promises about fixing the SEND system without a clear plan. Gareth Davies, the shadow exchequer secretary, claimed Labour was “fiddling the figures to whack up borrowing” and misleading the public about its fiscal policies.
MP Kyrke-Smith, however, remains focused on finding a collaborative path forward. She is pushing for reforms that include the voices of children, parents, and teachers to build a system that truly works. Her proposed changes focus on enhancing school capacity, streamlining the assessment process, and ensuring reliable transport solutions for families.
