Discussions on SEND reform must include colleges, says AoC

David Holloway, Senior Policy Manager, SEND, Association of Colleges, said: “We are pleased to see today’s report from the Public Accounts Committee looking at the issue of support for children and young people with special educational needs.

"We were heartened by the discussion of the role of colleges in the PAC’s evidence session for this inquiry, and it would have been good to see greater recognition of that role in today’s report. There are distinct issues in each phase of the 0-25 SEND system, but as was observed during the inquiry, there is a great deal other parts of the system could learn from colleges.

"Colleges provide inclusive cultures and inclusive curricula, and yet are hampered by a worse deal for SEND funding and by the indefensible £10,000 pay gap between school teachers and college teachers. So we hope the committee will work with us as SEND reforms are introduced in future.”