Pandemic staff issues had negative effect on SEND pupils

Ofsted has published its latest reports looking at the pandemic’s continued impact on education providers, and found that the pandemic has had a disproportionate effect on some pupils with SEND.

Schools with strong systems in place before COVID-19 were continuing to meet the needs of pupils with SEND. Effective support happened when schools had a clear understanding of pupils’ individual needs and what extra help was required to meet the curriculum expectations. But the pandemic has delayed some pupils receiving support from external or specialist services.

Staff absence due to COVID-19 has been a concern for leaders throughout this academic year. Ofsted heard that inconsistency in staffing, or staff unfamiliar with pupils’ individual needs, had a particularly negative impact on pupils with SEND. A few leaders in special schools said that pupils who find it difficult to self-regulate found staff changes particularly challenging. During the pandemic, some schools have recognised that pupils with SEND were finding it unsettling when their key worker was absent. As a result, they were now helping pupils to become more flexible by working with a variety of staff members.

In some mainstream and special schools, recruiting staff with SEND expertise was found to be a particular challenge.