Davey will make the call for the national body, along with increased funding for EHC plans, this afternoon during a visit to local charity, SNAP, in Brentwood and Chelmsford (Essex), which supports children and young people with SEND.
The visit is part of the leader of the Liberal Democrat Party's local elections tour.
The purpose of the new national body would be to pay any costs above a certain threshold ,with funding determined by the child’s current needs and not by historic council spend. It would also act as a champion for the child, promote inclusive practice and ensure that SEND funding is spent as effectively as possible to support the child.
Davey will also call for increased funding for local authorities to provide Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), drawing on figures that show from 2022, Essex is one of the worst performing regions for issuing the plans. Within the 20-week target, there were11,609 EHCP cases in the county in 2023, up from 11,092 in 2022, and 8,948 in 2019. However, in 2022, only 127 new EHCPs, just 11 per cent of the total, were issued with the 20-week limit, down from 45 per cent in 2021.
Speaking ahead of the visit, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said, ‘It is simply wrong that children in Essex can’t trust that they will get the support they deserve and need. That’s why we need a new National Body for SEND, that can deliver funding for those children with the very highest needs.
‘We are facing twin crises in SEND provision and Local Government funding, and it's clear that the Government can’t get a grip on either. With a National Body for SEND, and improved support for local authorities to deliver EHC plans, we can ensure that all of our children can access the tailored learning and healthcare they need to flourish.’