Open petition: Government to cover full cost of SEND provisions to protect access

Created by Thomas Cotham
Closes on 26 September 2026

We call on the Government to review funding places at mainstream & independent schools for students with SEND to ensure this reflects the true cost of the complex provision these schools provide including therapy & safeguarding processes. Funding shouldn't restrict quality of support or limit access

In our view many independent specialist school placements exist because there is no state place or inclusive mainstream option, and that these placements are a symptom of system failure, not its cause. While concerns over profit are valid, we believe that Government funding for places in specialist schools must not compromise quality of provision or leave children without support. We also call on the Government to rebuild state specialist capacity, improve mainstream inclusion and early intervention, and ensure lawful, timely decisions. Financial reform must put disabled children's needs first.

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