Schools do not have enough staff to make SEND reforms work, union warns

March 29, 2026 - 01:17

A stark warning has been issued that schools lack the necessary staff to successfully implement the government's planned reforms for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The critical shortage of teaching assistants, specialists, and qualified teachers is creating an unsustainable barrier to creating truly inclusive classrooms.

Union leaders emphasize that while the ambition for a more inclusive education system is welcome, it cannot be achieved without a significant increase in dedicated funding for school staffing. The reforms, which aim to ensure children with SEND receive higher-quality support within mainstream schools, risk becoming an unfunded mandate. Educators report that existing staff are already stretched thin, managing large classes with complex needs without adequate specialist support.

This staffing deficit means that even with revised policies, many children may not receive the timely, expert attention they require to thrive. The call is for concrete investment in recruiting and training more permanent staff, arguing that without it, the promise of the reforms will remain out of reach for countless students and families across the country. The success of this pivotal change hinges directly on resolving the workforce crisis within our schools.