On Monday, the Government set out its proposed reforms to the SEND system in England. The proposals aim to strengthen mainstream inclusion, address long-standing pressures within the system and improve outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
We recognise the significant challenges currently facing SEND provision – rising demand, stretched resources and the need for earlier, more consistent support. Against this backdrop, meaningful reform is both necessary and urgent, to meet the needs of the 2 children in every classroom who have Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). Monday’s announcement signals an important opportunity to build a more inclusive and sustainable system for these students.
Whilst there is still much to understand, we welcome the Government’s commitment to improving SEND provision and recognise many positive steps within the proposals. Alongside additional funding, the focus on teacher training and CPD, the creation of an “Experts at Hand” offer, and the intention to draw more effectively on specialist settings, are all important signals of change. We are particularly encouraged by the focus on effective, evidence-based strategies – an approach that aligns closely with the work we are already delivering and are well-equipped to expand.
We will continue to advocate strongly for children and young people with DLD during the consultation period and beyond. For them, increasing awareness of DLD is critical. Without clear recognition this (often hidden) disability risks being overlooked in implementation.
Supporting the next phase of reform
We stand ready to support the next phase of reform. We already have high-quality training and practical resources developed specifically for teachers and specialist professionals. Through our established outreach infrastructure, we are perfectly placed to share our expertise more widely. We are not only supportive of the direction of travel, but we are also ready to help deliver it. We are, and will continue to be, experts at hand for the system as it evolves.
We look forward to working constructively with partners across education, health and government to ensure that reforms translate into meaningful improvements for children and young people with DLD.
Please do explore our training or free resources, or if you’re a school poised and ready to get ahead of the changes, do get in touch to talk about how we can support you now. Email training@moorhouseinstitute.com.