Special educational needs and disabilities provision

That this House recognises the severe and growing pressures within the special educational needs and disabilities system; notes with concern the shortage of specialist places and support for children and young people with the highest levels of need; believes that reform of SEND provision must not result in pupils being placed in mainstream classrooms where the necessary support, environment, staffing or expertise is not available; further believes that inclusion can only succeed where it is safe, properly resourced and appropriate to the individual child; further recognises that some children and young people require specialist school places, specialist units or properly staffed support settings in order to learn safely and effectively; expresses concern that any weakening of legal safeguards or independent routes of challenge would leave vulnerable children and families without meaningful protection; calls on the Government to increase specialist SEND capacity, including additional specialist school places, specialist units and properly staffed support settings; further calls on Ministers to retain enforceable legal rights, mediation and independent routes of challenge for families; and urges the Government to ensure that every child with SEND can learn safely, consistently and in an environment that meets their individual needs.