Alliance reacts to confirmation that government SEND review response will be published early next year
The Early Years Alliance has issued a comment in response to the news that the government's SEND review response will be published in early 2023. The message from the education secretary Gillian Keegan can be read
Commenting, Neil Leitch, CEO of the Early Years Alliance, said:
“We welcome confirmation from the education secretary that the government’s response to the SEND review will be published early next year. If we are to have any chance of transforming the life chances of children and young people with SEND, however, it is absolutely vital that the early years plays a central role in any future SEND government strategies.
“As our own research from earlier this year shows, early educators are grappling with a complex, inconsistent and slow SEND system, underpinned by wholly inadequate funding, that consistently falls short of meeting the needs of providers and families alike. Ministers constantly talk about the vital importance of early intervention and yet all too often, the early years is an afterthought when it comes to SEND provision.
“As such, while we look forward to hearing the education secretary’s plans in the new year, we urge her to recognise that any new policies in this important area must prioritise the early years, and include substantial and realistic investment in SEND provision, if they are to have any meaningful and lasting impact."