Sir Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, recently defended his party’s track record regarding services for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Oxfordshire. His comments come on the heels of public outcry from parents and guardians, who have raised alarms over these services not being up to par. These fears were exacerbated following a damning Ofsted report published two years ago.
During a visit to Oxfordshire, Davey reassured families that they “should not worry” about the state of the SEND system. He understood the difficulties that local governments face. He reminded them that the Liberal Democrats had inherited a SEND framework that was “left on its knees.” This recognition has opened the door to a broader conversation. We’ll be looking especially at ways to improve the processes and outcomes for children requiring special educational support.
Illustrating the financial pressures on services Davey suggested to explain why SEND services are going against current national guidance. “I’m not familiar with the details, but I think what it was probably about was saving money and making sure we could take an integrated approach,” he remarked, highlighting the need for a comprehensive strategy to address the issues at hand.
The council is almost entirely controlled by the Liberal Democrats, and Oxfordshire County Council has faced widespread criticism for its handling of SEND services. Last year, the council spent over £25 million on home-to-school transport fees and private provision, raising questions about resource allocation and effectiveness. In his remarks, Davey stressed that families can’t settle for anything less and that a connected, multi-disciplinary strategy is the only way to truly succeed.
Jointly with Munira Wilson, Davey, as recently as September, wrote to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer calling for substantial reform within the SEND sector. He articulated five key principles that served as the foundation for an entirely new system. He’s convinced that these reforms really could make a huge positive impact in Oxfordshire. This vital shift would empower families with the tools and backing they deserve.
Davey went on to stress the need for close work among local councils and Parliamentary Members respectively. “I’m not worried about names, I’m worried about [the local authority] actually doing the best they can and working with MPs to get the national government to do what it should have been doing years ago,” he stated. His comments highlight a willingness to be active and open to all contributors to SEND’s landscape.
