Sir Ed Davey says a national body is needed to end the ‘postcode lottery’ for SEND support.

The Liberal Democrats are calling for the establishment of a national agency to support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), aimed at ending what they describe as a “postcode lottery” in the provision of care and support.

Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, emphasized the need for a new national body that would allocate extra funding based on each child’s individual needs, ensuring that children across the UK receive consistent and effective support. The new agency would cover any costs above a specified threshold, aiming to address the current disparities between regions in SEND provision.

Sir Ed, who personally experiences the challenges of supporting a disabled child, stated that the current system is unacceptable, with many parents struggling to get the necessary resources and facing long delays. He also called for the government to reduce the £6,000 that schools are currently required to pay towards additional SEND support, suggesting that this financial burden discourages early identification and support for children’s needs.

The call for a national SEND agency comes amid growing concerns over underfunding in both education and local government, with Sir Ed criticizing the Conservative government for failing to address these issues. He warned that urgent action is needed to ensure all children can access the tailored learning and care they require.