Children in special schools 'forgotten' by Government

The survey of special schools and colleges and parents found that many headteachers and parents feel that children in special schools and colleges have been ‘forgotten’ in the Government’s announcements for children to return to mainstream schools this week.

The study, by ASK Research with support from NFER, and funded by the Nuffield Foundation, involved in-depth interviews with and surveys of 200 special schools and colleges in England that provide specialist places for children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) and more than 500 parents whose children attend special schools. 

Special schools face different challenges to mainstream schools but school leaders and parents feel the Government has shown little understanding of this in their Covid-19 guidance. 

Heads surveyed said that guidance from the Government had been unclear and showed a lack of understanding of how special schools work, the types of pupils they support and how much they rely on other services, including health and social care, transport and local charities.

Social distancing rules mean fewer pupils can be accommodated in special schools and schools feel they can no longer offer many of the activities they usually provide ,such as using sensory rooms and hydrotherapy pools. 

Parents of children with special educational needs were concerned about sending their children back to school or college in September because their children are medically vulnerable or because their child’s needs mean they cannot adhere to social distancing and safe practice.

The survey found:

• 84 per cent of special school and college leaders think some of their pupils will not return to school this term.
• 64 per cent thought this was because parents do not think it would be safe.
• 98 per cent of special school and college leaders said they have pupils who they thought would find adhering to safe practice and social distancing from adults, difficult. 

Amy Skipp, director of ASK Research who led the project, said, ‘From the moment the announcement about school closures was made, the Government has got it wrong for these schools and the highly vulnerable pupils and families they support. Heads and parents told us repeatedly how they felt forgotten about. Messages from Government and the issued guidance have been so confused for children with special needs that headteachers have faced an impossible situation over the last few months, which will culminate in tens of thousands of our most vulnerable children and young people not accessing the vital support they rely on from special schools. Parents should not be being asked to choose between their child’s health and their education.

‘Many special schools have shown amazing innovation and commitment during lockdown with staff going above and beyond to help these families. Government should learn from what has worked, and reflect this level of commitment by acting now, making specific guidance for these settings and providing the additional resources they will need.’ 

Eleanor Ireland, education Programme Head at the Nuffield Foundation, said, ‘Many children and young people with special educational needs will not be able to return to school this week, due to real fears about their own safety and the safety of others. Staying at home has implications not only for their education but also for their families who have been managing with only minimal support for months. Local and national government should issue clear guidance and support to special school and college leaders and to parents so that they can make the best decisions for these children and young adults, many of whom are particularly vulnerable.’

Tulip Siddiq MP, Labour’s shadow minister for children and early years, said, 'All children with special educational needs and disabilities deserve to have their needs met at school, yet this incompetent Government is failing to ensure that the necessary support is put in place or reassure parents. 

'There are serious concerns that this lack of SEND support could lead to some children having to miss out on vital education and a rise in school exclusions. This would be a devastating outcome for children with SEND, many of whom have seen their physical and mental health deteriorate in recent months.

'Ministers must work harder to ensure that all children can get back to school safely. That means providing better support and guidance so that the needs of vulnerable children and those with SEND can be met in all schools.' 

A DfE spokesperson said, ‘Throughout the pandemic we have worked with schools and councils to help support children with Send including by asking schools to stay open to those with education health and care plans. At the same time, we are increasing high needs funding for local authorities by £780m this year and a further £730 million next year, boosting the total budget to more than £8bn in 2021-22.

‘We know that the staff who work day in, day out with these children and their families understand their individual needs best, and that they have put in place any necessary adjustments to ensure a smooth transition back to school. We have provided specific guidance on the measures special schools and other special education settings should put in place to keep children and staff as safe as possible.’