Schools White Paper: Govt must be "more ambitious" and bring in "universal screening" for SEND

EMBARGO: Immediate Release 

Responding to the School White Paper launch, Munira Wilson MP, Liberal Democrat, Education, Children and Families Spokesperson, said: 

"Reform of our broken special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system is long overdue. Parents and carers have been crying out for change for years, and finally the Government has today taken solid steps to start addressing the deep-seated issues in this adversarial system.

"The devil will be in the detail to ensure change is properly resourced with people and money, but also trust is restored with parents who are fearful of losing their rights and hard-won support for their children.  I have listened to so many parents who have been fighting a losing battle to get the most basic level of support their children deserve - this is too important to not get right.

"I am pleased ministers have finally listened to Liberal Democrat calls for tighter rules on private SEND providers. They must go further with an 8% cap on profits and for SEND schools to be given Critical National Infrastructure status - to block any dodgy backroom deals.

“But we also need to ensure we identify children who need help much sooner. Too many are falling through the cracks. The Government needs to be more ambitious and look at universal screening."

ENDS