Evidence gaps pose 'significant challenge' to SEND reforms, warns EEF

The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) has issued a stark warning that the government's SEND reform programme faces a 'significant challenge' due to major evidence gaps. Responding to the Department for Education's SEND consultation, the research charity cautioned that without stronger evidence underpinning proposed changes, local authorities may struggle to deliver effective reforms that improve outcomes for children with special educational needs and disabilities. The EEF's intervention highlights growing concerns amongst sector leaders about the pace and direction of SEND reform. For cabinet members responsible for children's services, this raises critical questions about implementation readiness and risk management. The charity's warning suggests that local areas may need to rely on emerging practice and rapid evaluation as they navigate the transition to new SEND systems, rather than established best practice models. This development comes as local authorities across England grapple with unprecedented demand for EHCPs and mounting pressure on high-needs budgets. The evidence gap identified by the EEF underscores the tension between the urgency of reform and the need for tested approaches that genuinely reduce bureaucracy whilst securing better provision for children and young people with SEND.