Charity launches "alternative" whitepaper to fix SEND system

Charity Speech and Language UK has published an "alternative" whitepaper on the SEND system, with a clear, evidence-based plan to ensure children who struggle with talking and understanding words are recognised and supported in nurseries and schools across England. 
 
The charity says it is published in lieu of the delays to the Government’s own Schools White Paper – delays which are damaging children’s education, mental health and future.

The whitepaper says that almost a quarter of pupils with SEND have speech and language needs, yet they are too often overlooked. Meanwhile, 92,000 children have EHCPs primarily for speech and language—but families still face a postcode lottery, shortages of therapists and specialist teachers, and behaviour and attendance policies that punish unmet communication needs. 
 
The whitepaper highlights actions to improve the situation, including putting speech, language and communication at the heart of schooling, and investing in universal and targeted support from early years to secondary. 

It calls for every teacher, TA and early-years professional to have training to spot needs, adapt lessons and use tools such as AAC. 

It also recommends reforming behaviour and attendance procedures so children are not penalised for communication difficulties, and guaranteeing specialist access for every school, expanding special-school places for complex SLC needs, and curbing profiteering so public money reaches children. 
 
Jane Harris, Chief Executive of Speech and Language UK, said: “Imagine a future where every child feels understood at school, excited for lessons and confident they belong. That future is within reach if Government hard-wires speech, language and communication into SEND reform. Our alternative White Paper gives ministers a practical route map—and a mandate from the people most affected.” 
 
Speech and Language UK demonstrate what works every day through its special schools for pupils with complex needs and through tools and training used by teachers and nursery staff nationwide. With the right support at the right time, outcomes improve across education, wellbeing, mental health, independent living, family relationships and future employment. 
 
The charity welcomes the Government’s ambitions on early years and school readiness and urges ministers to align those goals with the steps in this paper—so reforms deliver for every child, including those with lifelong speech and language needs.