The Department for Education has insisted it has no current plans to abolish the SEND Tribunal, in response to a Gazette report that there is a threat to the future of the court as a forum for deciding disputes around the provision of statutory provision for children with special educational needs. However, fresh developments yesterday confirm that significant changes are on their way. 

In a statement sent to the Gazette, a Department for Education spokesperson said: ‘We do not recognise these claims and are clear that there are no plans to abolish SEND tribunals. The evidence is clear that this government inherited a SEND system left on its knees – with too many children not having their needs met and parents forced to fight for support.

‘We are actively working with parents and experts on our White Paper to reform the SEND system, which will involve more early intervention to prevent needs from escalating and £740m to encourage councils to create more specialist places in mainstream schools.

‘Any changes we make will improve support for children and parents, stop parents from having to fight for support, and protect provision currently in place. As part of our Plan for Change, we will restore the confidence of families up and down the country and deliver the improvement they are crying out for so every child can achieve and thrive.’

The £740m available for additional places in mainstream schools, announced in yesterday’s fiscal statement, will be drawn from a ‘transformation fund’, which the BBC reported this morning, signals that ‘big changes are on the way’.

In a separate development, last night an official petition asking ‘the government to commit to maintaining the existing law, so that vulnerable children with SEND can access education and achieve their potential’ has passed 100,000 signatures. That will trigger for a parliamentary debate, which a government minister must attend.