Adoption charity warns SEND plan lacks ambition and urgency

Adoption UK applauds Government's push to support SEND kids in schools, but urges for more urgency and inclusion Exciting news! Adoption UK is thrilled with the recent government proposals to enhance support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in English schools.

However, we can't help but feel a sense of urgency is lacking, and that some of the most vulnerable pupils are being overlooked. Their ground breaking research reveals that a staggering 82% of adopted children in England have SEND, with their academic performance falling behind their peers. But here's the good news: targeted focus and increased investment can work wonders in improving their educational outcomes.

Let's seize this opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of these incredible children. Together, we can create an inclusive and supportive educational environment that empowers every child to reach their full potential.

CEO of Adoption UK, Emily Frith said: “We’re not giving vulnerable children an equal chance to learn, and families are shouldering far too much of the burden when it comes to helping their children survive in education – let alone thrive. This plan is underwhelming in its ambition and speed. We can and should do better.”

Adoptive parent Sarah said: “Advocating for my adopted daughter in school has been like having a second job. She has complex social and emotional needs, as well as learning difficulties, and that’s really common amongst adopted children. Her mainstream schools have done their best, but without a big boost in staff, with more time to spend on their relationships with individual students, parents of children with special needs are always going to have a fight on their hands.”

Proposals for workforce development, national standards, and early intervention are positive, but lack of mandatory implementation makes it challenging to hold Local Authorities and schools accountable for improvements.

This news story has been produced by Chesil Radio's News Team, for more information please visit: https://www.chesilradio.com