Every Child Deserves a Place in School

Millie College

School may be out for summer, but for many families, the worry continues. As I raised in Parliament last month, not every child is guaranteed a school place—especially those with additional needs.

The Liberal Democrats have long championed inclusive education and equal opportunities for every child, regardless of background or need.

Mainstream schools face financial and staffing pressures, and special schools lack capacity. As a parent of a child with an EHCP, I understand the stress of seeing your child’s needs unmet. As a former council leader, I also know the huge pressure on education teams trying to place children appropriately.

The rising demand for special education is complex.

A decade of underinvestment in specialist schools is part of the problem, but it goes deeper. A narrowed curriculum has sidelined practical and creative subjects, and funding cuts have reduced access to teaching assistants and tailored resources. The pandemic further disrupted learning—toddlers lost social development, primary children were isolated behind screens, and teens missed the chance to build independence.

Teachers are doing their best, but they are under-resourced. In the BCP Council area, funding per primary pupil is just over £4,500—compared to nearly £7,000 in parts of London. That difference means tens of thousands more per class each year, which could fund autism training, nurture hubs, school trips, and access to specialists like speech therapists and mental health counsellors.

A better-funded, inclusive mainstream system would reduce pressure on special schools and allow children to move between settings as their needs evolve. But the current system is broken.

Research by the Liberal Democrats has exposed how some private providers of specialist education are making excessive profits—diverting public funds and pushing councils toward bankruptcy. One local independent special school charges nearly £80,000 more per year than a comparable state-maintained special school. We are leading the call for urgent reform to protect both children and local services.

Providing education for children with profound disabilities is expensive, and the Liberal Democrats have called for exceptional costs to be funded nationally, not by overstretched local authorities. SEND provision—including additional staff, specialist equipment, and smaller classes—adds costs for a wider group of children, and councils are being forced into impossible decisions and constant battles with families who are already on the brink.

Legal caps on profits are long overdue, and broader reform is essential. We’ve written to the Prime Minister ahead of the SEND White Paper, urging protections for children’s rights, support for councils, and a more inclusive education system. The review must also address excessive wait times for diagnosis, support, and therapy.

We urge parents, teachers, and professionals to take part in the upcoming consultation this autumn. Your voices are vital in shaping a system that works for every child.

Today’s children are resilient and brilliant. They deserve a happy childhood and an education that helps them reach their potential and prepares them for the world beyond school. The Liberal Democrats are committed to making that vision a reality.