In our report in May 2020, we found that there were not enough state special school places in some parts of the country, meaning that local authorities had to cover the high cost of places in independent schools and spend ever larger amounts on SEND transport. We recommended that the Department should carry out a systematic analysis of current and future demand for school places and facilities suitable for pupils with complex needs, and develop a costed plan for meeting those needs, which the...

In our report in May 2020, we found that there were not enough state special school places in some parts of the country, meaning that local authorities had to cover the high cost of places in independent schools and spend ever larger amounts on SEND transport. We recommended that the Department should carry out a systematic analysis of current and future demand for school places and facilities suitable for pupils with complex needs, and develop a costed plan for meeting those needs, which the Department agreed with.51 We asked the Department about reports that local authorities are being required by tribunal judgements to send pupils to priva Type: conclusion | Number: 26 | Response status: not_addressed Government response: 4. PAC conclusion: While we wait for the much-delayed SEND review, the support system continues to fail many children and remains financially unsustainable. 4: PAC recommendation: The Department should set out in the SEND review (which it has committed to publish