Special Educational Needs System On Its Knees, Says Teachers Union

Published: Thursday, April 17, 2025 at 4:10 pm

SEND System in Crisis: Teachers Union Sounds the Alarm

The UK's Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) system is facing a critical crisis, according to the NASUWT teachers union. A recent survey paints a bleak picture, revealing a system struggling under immense pressure. Teachers are reporting a significant decline in specialist support staff, with over 40% witnessing a decrease in their schools. Alarmingly, only a mere 3% of teachers consistently receive the support they need to effectively teach children with SEND.

This decline in support is happening against a backdrop of soaring demand. Nearly 90% of teachers report an increase in the number of students with special needs or disabilities in their classrooms over the past five years. Furthermore, a staggering 95% say the needs of these pupils have become more complex.

NASUWT General Secretary Patrick Roach emphasizes the severity of the situation, stating the government has inherited a "SEND system on its knees." He stresses the need for proper resourcing and comprehensive reforms across curriculum, assessment, and teacher recruitment to rebuild trust and confidence in the system.

The government acknowledges the challenges and is taking steps to address them, including efforts to ease teacher workload, support well-being, and increase pay. The Department for Education (DfE) is also working to recruit an additional 6,500 teachers, allocating £233 million to attract talented individuals to the profession. This comes as the number of pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) in England has risen by 11.6% since 2023, highlighting the growing strain on local authorities responsible for funding SEND support. The government is working on a "Plan for Change" to improve the SEND system.

Keywords: SEND, special educational needs, disability, NASUWT, teachers union, support staff, EHCP, Education, Health and Care Plans, teacher recruitment, teacher retention, DfE, Department for Education, SEND crisis, special needs, disabilities, education, schools, government, funding, curriculum, assessment.

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