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Almost two-thirds of school staff are concerned about keeping children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) safe at school because of a lack of capacity and resources, according to a new National Autistic Society (NAS) survey.
The survey of over 1,000 parents, carers, autistic people and school staff found that nearly nine in ten (88%) worry about mental health and wellbeing support for children with SEND, and only 7% believe that schools have the resources and funding needed to support children’s wellbeing.
In addition, the survey found a lack of trust in the Government’s proposed SEND reform, with more than eight in ten (85%) not feeling that their views on SEND reform are being heard and valued by the Government.
In February, the Government set out plans to reform the SEND system in its ‘Every child achieving and thriving’ White Paper, which includes ambitious plans to make mainstream education more inclusive, introduce additional layers of support, increase inclusion bases in schools, and improve access to speech therapists and educational psychologists via an ‘expert at hand’ offer.
Families fighting for basic support
Mel Merritt, Head of Policy and Influencing at the National Autistic Society, said: “What we’ve heard loud and clear from parents, teachers, and autistic people is that the current school system is letting down autistic children and this can’t carry on. Children with SEND and their families are forced to fight for the most basic support, while teachers and school staff struggle to meet their needs due to a lack of capacity and resources, leading to serious concerns about children’s safety.
“This is a once–in-a-generation chance to ensure what we all want for our children – a chance of a decent education. Failure to deliver will mean autistic people, families and the Government will spend a lifetime paying for the consequences. The Government’s reforms are ambitious, but they need to be possible for teachers to put into practice and parents need the rights to ensure their child gets the support they need. There’s a high level of scepticism, because of years of failure, so the Government need to ensure students, teachers and parents are listened to.”
Other survey results include:
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- For teachers and education professionals, over seven in ten (71%) don’t trust that the Government’s SEND reforms will improve the experiences of children with SEND and their families.
- More than eight in ten (81%) don’t feel confident that SEND reforms will relieve stress or workload for school staff and professionals who provide support to children with SEND at school.
- More than six in ten teachers and education professionals (61%) think the proposed SEND reforms could negatively impact autistic pupils, and nearly three-quarters (73%) aren’t confident the announced reforms will address the main problems with the SEND system.
- Only 5% of teachers and education professionals said current funding and staff capacity are enough to fully support children with SEND where they work, and only 7% of autistic people and parents/ carers think schools have the resources and funding needed to support children’s wellbeing.
SEND needs are not being met in schools
More than nine in ten (95%) autistic people and parents/carers said that securing support for a child with SEND is a fight, and only 7% said children with SEND have their needs met at school. Over nine in ten (94%) think every child with SEND has individual needs that cannot be easily categorised, banded or ranked.
Nearly all autistic people and parents/carers surveyed (98%) think children with SEND should have a legal right to a support plan and strong legal routes to challenge if they are not receiving the support they are entitled to. Nearly all (99%) think every teacher should receive training on how to support autistic children.
Over two thirds (66%) think that having dedicated bases in mainstream schools, where children with SEND can access the support they need, would make a positive difference to their experience of school.
The National Autistic Society has launched the Let’s Get SEND Right campaign to ensure SEND reform provides autistic children with the support they need to thrive.
