Lib Dem MP Steve Darling backs new party plan to improve access to education for children with special education needs

Steve Darling Lib Dem MP for Torbay has backed their party’s new rescue plan for the SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) system at their Spring Conference in Harrogate, saying that “families deserve far better”.

The motion, which was passed overwhelmingly by members, contains a raft of policies including measures to improve inclusion of SEND students in mainstream schools – by introducing mandatory SEND training for all teachers and education professionals. 

Steve added that council budgets had been “stretched beyond their limits” due to the neglect of the last Conservative government.

The Liberal Democrats are also calling for the acceleration of state-funded special needs schools to rapidly increase capacity in schools for children with SEND. 67 specialist schools are currently stuck in planning delays, holding up plans to boost capacity in state educational settings.

Currently, many children with special educational needs are unable to access the right education for them due to a widespread lack of provision. This often leads to children travelling long distances to special schools, or being sent to expensive private providers whilst council budgets are stretched to their limit.

The Liberal Democrats are pushing for “drastic” reform of the special educational needs system and are calling for decisive action to end the SEND crisis for good. 

Steve added:

“I have spoken to countless parents who are desperate to get their child the education they deserve. Far too many families are forced to fight long battles for the education their child deserves. 

“The Conservative Government neglected our education system and caused an absolute crisis in special needs provision -  failing children, parents and teachers, and stretching council budgets beyond their limits. Now we need to see real, urgent action from Labour.

“Families deserve far better – which is why we’ve launched our new calls to fix the crisis this weekend. The Liberal Democrats will continue to carry the torch for children let down by government after government.”