Bridget Phillipson set out to reassure parents about the future of SEND reforms, but failed to address whether EHCPs would remain.
The education secretary, who was speaking at the annual conference of the Confederation of School Trusts, previewed her education white paper, which she said would focus on engagement, behaviour and attendance in school.
She said outcomes for children with SEND had “stagnated” and that they were more likely to be suspended from school than their peers.
Phillipson told delegates: “Then when they leave school, [pupils with SEND] are more likely to end up out of employment, education or training. It’s a scandal and is a stain on our society.
“We must put this right – once and for all. I’ve been listening to parents, children, teachers, leaders, and experts, and it’s clear we need to keep listening and building a consensus.”
Mapping out the future for SEND education
She said she planned to “map out the future” for how the system should work so that “every child’s needs are identified early, support is provided as standard, without the need for parents to fight tooth and nail”
Phillipson acknowledged how parents and families often struggled to access the right support for their child, and would be bound to feel anxious about reforms to the SEND system. There has been speculation that EHCPs might be scrapped, but this remains unclear.
She said: “So I want to reassure them. We will work with parents as partners to get this change right.”
Phillipson said the government had already committed to investing £740 million to create 10,000 more places for children with SEND in mainstream and specialist schools, with additional support for parents in the best start family hubs.
It also planned to improve teacher training and career progression.
“We’ve got to turn it around, not just for the sake of children with SEND, but for all children, to show them a model of society that is broad and inclusive, with every child achieving and thriving,” she added.
