The SEND system is at breaking point, with children falling through the cracks due to stretched services, excessive waiting times, and a lack of coordinated support. Our director – Shermeena Rabbi stresses the urgent need for investment, reform, and better early intervention to prevent long-term harm to children’s development and well-being.
When interviewed, Shermeena provides expert insight into one of the critical issues: the backlog in speech and language therapy assessments. She explains how many children with speech, language, and communication needs are being left without timely support, often waiting months or even years for intervention. Rabbi warns that these delays can have serious long-term consequences for children’s education, social development, and mental health, as early intervention is crucial for effective outcomes.
The news article explores the growing crisis in the UK’s Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system, where many children are being failed by delays, underfunding, and bureaucratic obstacles. Long waits for assessments, limited resources in schools, and insufficient specialist support leave many families struggling to secure the help their children urgently need.
