Adam Dance presses Government on impact of SEND reforms on teachers' workloads

Yeovil MP Adam Dance has challenged the Government to prove its proposed SEND reforms will reduce bureaucracy for teachers, after ministers admitted the current system is "not working" and is creating unnecessary paperwork.

His intervention comes as new research shows the average teacher now works 47 hours a week, with almost half saying their workload has increased significantly over the past year.

In a Written Parliamentary Question, Adam asked the Department for Education whether it would publish assessments of the impact of the proposed reforms on teaching staff in Yeovil, Somerset and across England.

The Government responded by acknowledging that teachers have consistently raised concerns that the current SEND system is "not working" and creates unnecessary bureaucracy. It said its reforms aim to create a more inclusive and sustainable system while reducing duplicated administration through new Individual Support Plans and flexible professional development for school staff.

Responding to the answer, Adam said:

"Teachers are already working incredibly hard to support children with SEND, often in a system that places huge demands on their time and resources.

"If we want to improve outcomes for children, we must also make sure the reforms work for the teachers delivering them. Reducing unnecessary bureaucracy is welcome, but it is important that the Government properly monitors whether these changes actually reduce workloads in practice.

"As someone with dyslexia and ADHD, I know how important the right support is. I've consistently campaigned for earlier identification of additional needs and better support for children with SEND, but that has to go hand in hand with giving teachers the time, training and resources they need to succeed.

"I'll continue holding the Government to account to make sure these reforms deliver real improvements for pupils, families and school staff across Yeovil and Somerset."

Adam has made improving support for children with SEND one of his key parliamentary priorities, including campaigning for universal screening for neurodivergent conditions in primary schools and better training for teachers.