Parliamentary Report Advocates "Root and Branch" SEND Reform - How STEPS Pilot Schools Are Already Leading the Way - 22nd Sep 2025
Cross-party MPs call for whole-school SEND approach as pilot programme demonstrates practical solutions
A parliamentary report published today calls for "root and branch transformation" of how mainstream schools support children with SEND, with MPs demanding the Government invest in training for all school staff rather than leaving SEND as an add-on responsibility.
The Education Committee's comprehensive review - the most extensive parliamentary examination of SEND provision in over a decade - makes 95 recommendations that align remarkably with what schools participating in OLT International's STEPS pilot programme are already implementing.
The Parliamentary Verdict
The cross-party committee found that SEND "must become an intrinsic part of the mainstream education system, rather than an addition to it," criticising the Government for lacking "a clear definition of what 'inclusive' mainstream education means”.
Key findings include:
- Rising EHC plan applications driven by inadequate mainstream provision
- Critical workforce shortages in educational psychology and allied health
- Post-16 "cliff edge" where SEND support dramatically declines
- Need for systematic staff training across all education phases
The report specifically highlights that an exemplary model is where "teachers actively try to meet the needs of their pupils from their first day at school”.
Why STEPS Pilot Schools Are Ahead of the Curve
Schools currently participating in the STEPS pilot are already addressing many of the Committee's core recommendations:
Whole-School Responsibility: The report is clear about making "SEND the responsibility of the whole school". STEPS provides unlimited access for all staff members, not just SENCOs. The platform's three progressive levels ensure everyone from teaching assistants to senior leaders receives appropriate training.
Evidence-Based Practice: The Committee calls for investment in staff skills through "evidence-based practice”. STEPS courses are developed with SEND specialists and leading institutions, directly addressing the "secure knowledge of the graduated approach" that MPs identified as essential.
Systematic Progress Tracking: The report emphasises accountability concerns. STEPS' comprehensive dashboard allows SENCOs to track completion, set targets, and generate detailed reports - exactly what the Committee suggests schools need to evidence their SEND provision.
Cost-Effective Implementation: With local authorities facing potential bankruptcy over SEND costs, the pilot's pricing model offers remarkable value. As one participating SENCO noted: "Sending just two staff on external SEND courses could cost more than our whole-school annual licence”.
What This Means for Your School
The parliamentary pressure creates an immediate imperative for action. Schools investing in comprehensive SEND training now may find themselves better positioned when anticipated regulatory changes arrive.
The Committee's emphasis that "some of this Committee's key recommendations will require investment to embed new practices" suggests government funding may follow - but schools demonstrating proactive compliance could benefit from early implementation.
The Ontario Connection
Significantly, the Committee specifically referenced Ontario's inclusive education model. STEPS pilot schools are already implementing similar approaches through:
- Universal Design for Learning principles embedded in course content
- Graduated response training reflecting Ontario's tiered support model
- Multi-professional collaboration techniques proven effective internationally
Next Steps
With the Government committed to publishing a SEND White Paper this autumn, schools participating in the STEPS pilot are effectively road-testing solutions that may become statutory requirements.
The STEPS pilot programme, offering free access until January 2026, provides an immediate opportunity to begin the cultural shift the Committee is advocating for while building evidence of proactive SEND leadership.
The Bottom Line
Today's report isn't just another critique of a broken system - it's a roadmap for transformation that pilot schools are already following. The question isn't whether mainstream schools need to radically improve their SEND provision, but how quickly they can implement solutions that work.
For schools ready to lead, the STEPS pilot offers a practical pathway to the inclusive education system for all.
To learn more about joining the STEPS programme for a free evaluation, visit https://www.oltinternational.net/steps-pilot.