Staffing Shortages Threaten SEND Reform Implementation, Union Says
England's largest teaching union has stated that schools do not have sufficient staff to meet the government's objectives of providing support for more children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) within mainstream schools.
Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), expressed that the prevailing sentiment among teachers is that inclusion cannot be achieved "on the cheap."
Government Announces Major SEND Reforms
In February, the government unveiled significant reforms to the SEND system in England, including the introduction of "inclusion bases"—dedicated spaces for pupils with SEND—in all schools.
The Department for Education (DfE) described these as "once-in-a-generation SEND reforms to put inclusion at the heart of education."
The government has pledged an additional £4 billion between now and 2029 to prepare schools ahead of the main changes coming into effect.
Of this funding, £1.6 billion will be allocated directly to early years, schools, and colleges over the next three years as part of an "inclusion fund" to facilitate the transition.
A further £1.8 billion is designated to provide extra expert support for schools during the transition period, alongside additional funding for training and local authorities.
Union Criticizes Funding Levels as Insufficient
The NEU has argued that the funding is inadequate to realize the government's goals.
It contends that the inclusion fund will equate to only a part-time teaching assistant for the average primary school and two teaching assistants for the average secondary school.
Kebede highlighted that schools would find it challenging to finance even a 2% increase in teachers' pay next year from their existing budgets, and that the inclusion fund would "merely soften the blow of underfunding."
"I think everybody recognises that the government has difficult economic choices to make," Kebede said. "However, if there is investment in education today, government will save much more money in the future."
NEU Survey Reveals Barriers to Inclusion
Prior to its annual conference in Brighton, the NEU conducted a snapshot survey of its members. The sample included 10,300 teachers and 3,000 support staff, adjusted to represent the school workforce accurately.
The union reported that 86% of teachers surveyed identified insufficient staff as a barrier to inclusion, followed by 73% who cited workload as a barrier.
Additional concerns raised by teachers and support staff included class sizes, training adequacy, and challenges within the current system for obtaining specialist support to identify children's needs and provide appropriate assistance.
Details of SEND Reform Proposals
A key element of the government's SEND reforms is the requirement for schools to develop an Individual Support Plan (ISP) for every child with special educational needs.
The intention is for many more children to have their needs met within mainstream schools.
The government aims to enhance inclusivity by increasing facilities such as sensory spaces and providing earlier access to specialists, including speech and language therapists.
By 2035, only children with the most complex needs will qualify for an education, health and care plan (EHCP), which are legal documents outlining the support pupils are entitled to.
The proportion of children with EHCPs has nearly doubled over the past decade, and although growth is expected to continue in the short term, the government hopes these reforms will eventually reduce the numbers to current levels.
Concerns Over Increased Workload for Teachers
The government anticipates that schools will assume some responsibilities, such as drafting ISPs for children. However, the NEU has expressed concerns about the potential impact on teachers' workloads.
Speaking to the BBC, Kebede stated:
"We all support a desire for more inclusion, but there is just not the adequate funding or staffing levels to meet that aspiration."
"Teachers and support staff want inclusive education. They want to see an inclusive school system. The problem is they are just so overstretched, they are being asked to do much more with less resource - it becomes an impossibility."
Research Highlights Workforce Challenges
Recent research by an independent charity underscores the pressures schools in England face as they prepare for the upcoming changes.
The National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) workforce reports indicate progress in recruiting and retaining teachers; however, a growing proportion of teaching assistants are leaving their positions.
It is estimated that approximately one in five support staff left the school system between the 2023/24 and 2024/25 academic years.
Teaching assistants play a crucial role in providing individualized support within classrooms for children with special educational needs.
Department for Education Responds
In response to the NEU's concerns, the DfE stated that it is supporting schools with its £4 billion investment and is "fiercely ambitious for every single child."
The department is currently consulting on the proposals and encourages parents and schools to share their views.
Upcoming Union Conference and Political Context
The impact of the proposed reforms will be a primary topic of discussion at the NEU's annual conference.
The event also has political significance, with Green Party leader Zack Polanski scheduled to address teachers and support staff on Monday.
Kebede noted that Polanski has become "the most favoured politician amongst our members," describing this as a "wake up call" for the Labour government.
Potential Industrial Action and Pay Review
The union is consulting its members regarding possible industrial action over pay to assess support before initiating a formal ballot.
Meanwhile, ministers are awaiting the report from the independent body responsible for reviewing teachers' pay, which will influence the pay offer for the coming years.
