THE MP for Wellington and Taunton, Gideon Amos (Lib Dem), says he has ‘serious concerns’ about proposed reforms to Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) support.

The Department for Education has set out its vision for SEND and around £4-billion of extra funding over the next three years in a white paper published earlier this week.

The document proposes the reassessment of education, health and care plan’s (EHCP’s) when children move up to the next stage of their education.

Most of the proposed funding has been earmarked for increasing SEND provision in mainstream schools to run targeted interventions, and commission local professionals such as occupational therapists.

Mr Amos said: “Any new investment in education is, of course, welcome. But proposals to reassess children’s EHCP’s when they move schools and to limit appeal tribunals’ powers to direct placements where parents request it, are both deeply concerning.

“If these changes are designed to reduce the number of children accessing specialist support, then the suggested funding increases for mainstream schools, approximately £20,000 to £40,000 for primary schools and £50,000 to £70,000 for secondary schools, simply will not be enough.

"With some private providers making £40 to £50 million in profits from disabled children and special education it's also really disappointing the government is not importing a cap on these profits.

"Unacceptable delays in the system have to be addressed urgently. Disabled children cannot be left waiting months, sometimes years, for the support they are legally entitled to receive. Timescales must be accelerated and accountability strengthened.

“Special schools need proper, sustained investment to meet growing demand, not further cutbacks. The priority must be ensuring that every child receives the right support.”

Mr Amos plans to hold a meeting with the SEND community in Taunton and Wellington so views on the white paper are heard in Parliament.