SEND system is at breaking point – Government must act on workforce shortages

The Association of Educational Psychologists (AEP) welcomes the House of Commons Education Select Committee’s Solving the SEND Crisis report. 

The report comes just days after the Westminster All Party Parliamentary Group on SEND called for urgent reform of a system that is failing children and young people. Highlighting an acute shortfall of EPs and specialist staff, the report urged the Government to act now to address the system’s shortcomings.  

The AEP submitted written and oral evidence to the Select Committee inquiry, and is pleased that the Committee’s conclusions echo the concerns it raised about chronic workforce shortages for specialist staff, including EPs and the urgent need for secure, long-term funding for training.

Donna Wiggett, General Secretary of the AEP, said:
“The Select Committee’s finding that a shortage of educational psychologists and other specialist staff is making an already failing system even worse will ring true for our members, and is exactly what we told the Committee. Educational psychologists see every day the damage this lack of resources causes to children and young people’s education and, ultimately, to their futures. Too many are waiting months for assessments and meaningful support, while families are forced to battle through an inconsistent and overly bureaucratic process. This postcode lottery means a child’s access to support depends more on where they live than on what they need – and that is unacceptable.

“Our evidence to the Committee made clear that the Government’s current commitment to fund training places for EPs is nowhere near sufficient to meet rising demand. Without additional, long-term funding and a national workforce plan, there will simply not be enough educational psychologists in the years ahead. The forthcoming Schools White Paper must set out a clear plan to increase the number of EPs, alongside national standards for inclusive provision and proper investment in early years services. Failing to do so would be a missed opportunity to put the SEND system on the right path.

“The AEP is proud to have contributed to the Select Committee inquiry and stands ready to work with Government, schools and families to deliver its recommendations. But words are not enough. We urge the Government to heed the Committee’s recommendations, and take action. With urgent investment in the EP workforce, prioritisation of early intervention and a commitment to consistency across the country, we can create a SEND system that is fair, effective and truly inclusive, giving every child and young person the chance to thrive.”