Charity boss calls for early years investment

A charity's chief executive has said more resources should be invested in care for early years children with special needs and disabilities (SEND).

Catherine McLeod, who leads Newbury-based Dingley's Promise, appeared at MPs' education select committee on Tuesday as they investigated a "crisis" in SEND provision.

She said the early years - children up to the age of five - was an area that was frequently missed, but intervention could prevent problems later on.

The Department for Education (DfE) said the SEND system was "on its knees" and that it would "take time" for any improvements to show.

"People think about schools but actually a lot of issues that we have in primary school, we could have worked on in the early years and children and families would have been much more successful," Ms McLeod said.

"Right now, we have to make sure that families contribute to this change, otherwise they are never going to trust the system and we will never see meaningful inclusion for children."

Emily is the mother of an autistic four-year-old daughter who has a severe speech and language delay.

She viewed five potential schools for her daughter but will appeal the choice given by a council ahead of her starting in September. A tribunal will only start in January 2026.

"Not only is it coming as a stress to us to make sure that she has the right care, it has also come as a financial stress as well," Emily said.

A DfE spokesperson said: "The evidence is clear that the SEND system we inherited is on its knees – with too many children not having their needs met and parents forced to fight for support.

"It will take time, but through our Plan for Change we are determined to spread opportunity, restore the confidence of families up and down the country and deliver the improvement they are crying out for."

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