Pernicious privatisation of special needs support | Letters
Ian Abbott says the principle of inclusion for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities will remain illusory as long as private providers are in control. Plus Sarah Lane and Robin Davies on the need for special Send schools
I will always regard John Harris highly, persuaded by his convictions for improving provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send), but I cannot agree with his conclusions this time (Labour doesn’t seem to like Send schools for kids like mine – but here’s what we’ll lose if these precious places are forgotten, 7 June).
I worked in a local authority Send service during the 2014 reforms and beyond, seeing children funnelled towards private provision, which was sold to parents on a governmental stance of “state poor, private better”. Providers came and went, sometimes offering little-scrutinised quality or outcomes or specialism. And this alongside rising fees as a spurious proxy for quality. Large companies now work towards monopolisation, and Send funding, inadequate then and now, has gravitated in that direction since.
Continue reading...
