Send provision in ‘vicious downward spiral’, says former children’s commissioner

Anne Longfield urges government to act on early intervention and support for children with complex needs

• The worst it's ever been': teachers decry Send crisis in England's schools

Children with special education needs and disabilities (Send) have been victims of a vicious downward spiral" of declining support over the past decade, pushing more families into crisis, said the former children's commissioner for England as she urged the government to take action.

Anne Longfield, the founder of the Centre for Young Lives, said the government could not simply spend more money on the status quo" of Send provision if it was going to tackle the soaring rate of tribunals brought by parents in battles with local authorities over support.