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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Sally Weale

Special educational needs system in England in ‘utter disarray’, says ombudsman

Somal leans, with folded arms, against a breeze-block pillar
Amerdeep Somal told the Guardian that working as a tribunal judge gave her a special insight into the system. Photograph: Mark Radford

The system set up to support children in England who have special educational needs and disabilities (Send) is in “utter disarray” and requires a complete overhaul, the local government ombudsman (LGO) has said.

In an exclusive interview with the Guardian, Amerdeep Somal, whose role is to investigate complaints about council services including Send, said: “The system is simply not working for children, families or local authorities.

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