Responding to the Department for Education’s new SEND and AP Improvement Plan, which was published today, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said: “Many pupils with special education needs and disabilities are being let down by a system which is currently a dysfunctional mess and the devil will be in the detail in judging whether these reforms go far enough in achieving the change needed to meet the needs of children and their families.

“On the surface, plans to focus upon early intervention, increase the specialist workforce, improve the Education Health and Care Plan process, and boost special school capacity, appear positive. National standards setting out the support and funding children should receive could work in principle as a way of ending the current postcode lottery.

“However, it’s unclear whether enough money will be provided to transform the wider system and ensure it is truly led by pupils needs rather than the resources available.

“While there can be value in piloting different approaches, action and investment is also needed now so that children in large parts of the country are not left behind.

“These plans have been years in the making and we need to see urgency from the government in listening to and acting upon feedback and implementing fully-funded changes that make a real difference for children and families.

“Until the government commits to properly funding the system based on pupils’ needs, fundamental problems will remain.”