Supporting Every Child: Insights on SEND Provision, Safeguarding and Inclusion

In this blog, you will learn:

• About a career in inclusion, safeguarding and child-centred practice amidst the current pressures on SEND provision.
• The importance of listening and collaboration to overcome challenges and have a meaningful impact for children.
• How to find and apply for the latest local authority SEND jobs.

In our latest industry interview, we spoke with Inclusion and Safeguarding Lead, Harjinder, about her career journey and the challenges currently facing the SEND sector.

With years of experience as a Head of School, SENCO and Designated Safeguarding Lead, Harjinder's life has been shaped by her commitment to ensuring every pupil receives the support they need to thrive.

Harjinder goes above and beyond to ensure that the needs of every child are met and that they receive the best possible support. As a champion of inclusive practices, Harjinder believes the SEND system could benefit from further investment and comprehensive systemic reform.

In this interview, Harjinder discusses the budgetary constraints restricting the SEND sector and how, without targeted investment in the SEND infrastructure, the most vulnerable learners will suffer.

Tell us about your career journey so far and your current role?

I came to teaching as a mature student, following the completion of a law degree. Whilst I initially pursued a career in the legal field, I found that the demands of working in the city were difficult to balance while raising my two young children.

During this period, I began volunteering as a parent helper at my children's infant school. It was there that a class Teacher saw my potential and encouraged me to consider a career in education. This suggestion ultimately changed the course of my life and I have never looked back.

That experience opened my eyes to the joy and fulfillment that comes from working with children and supporting their learning. I found that the classroom required many of the skills I had developed in my law experience including communication and problem solving, combined with my growing passion for child development and education.

Teaching quickly became more than just a career choice; it became a calling. I now work as an Inclusion and Safeguarding Lead for a Trust that provides support in school improvement to ensure every child has the best possible education.

How has SEND provision changed over the past 12 months and where do you see it heading in the future?

The rise in the number of pupils identified as having SEND, both with and without Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plans, continues to place significant strain on the education system.

Schools across the country are increasingly inundated with pupils presenting a wide range of complex needs and educators are frequently stretched beyond capacity.

Without coordinated, well-resourced support, there is a real risk that the most vulnerable learners will not receive the timely, tailored interventions they need to thrive.

A major contributing factor is the lengthy process required to gather evidence to justify additional funding or EHC plans from local authorities. While government funding for SEND has increased, many local authorities continue to grapple with budgetary constraints.

The long-term sustainability of SEND provision remains under pressure and the increased investment has not consistently led to improved capacity or outcomes, particularly in mainstream settings where specialist support is often lacking.

The current climate calls not only for further investment but also for comprehensive systemic reform. This must address the root causes of strain within the SEND system from early identification and support to the effective integration of health, education and social care services.

How can the government enhance provision for children with SEND while also improving safeguarding measures in schools?

The government has the opportunity to improve SEND provision and strengthen school safeguarding by improving training, partnerships and increasing oversight across education and care systems.

Key government priorities for children with SEND could include:

• Reviewing and broadening the diagnostic criteria for SEND to ensure that all students receive timely and appropriate support.
• Implementing a community-wide approach to SEND, as outlined in Labour’s manifesto. This approach would promote inclusivity in mainstream schools and allow special schools to focus on the pupils with the most complex needs. 
• Streamlining the EHCP process to improve consistency and efficiency as well as prevent delays in local authorities.
• Better coordination between education, health, mental health and social care services.

What do you find most fulfilling about your role?

Working with great staff is incredibly rewarding, especially when there's a shared understanding of child development, the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Trauma-informed, attachment-aware (TIAAS) practice. It is in these shared frameworks that real change for children takes root.

We are fortunate that many pupils return to thank us, or simply to share memories of what their time with us meant to them. That is truly humbling, but the greatest reward of all is knowing that we always put the child at the centre of every decision we make. That principle guides everything we do and it is what makes the work so meaningful.

Can you share any memorable or rewarding moments from your SEND career?

There are so many memorable and rewarding moments in this line of work. A moment that stands out is when I worked with a specific family. An early years child was labelled as ‘naughty’, with the blame placed on the parents, however it was clear to me that this pupil had significant unmet needs.

The family felt unheard and unsupported with nowhere to turn to for help. I took the time to really listen to how their son presented at home and observed him in school. I accompanied them to a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) appointment, and together, we discussed his behaviour both at school and at home. He was prescribed short-term medication while further assessments were carried out.

Working collaboratively with the Teachers and senior leaders ensured that the pupil was not excluded or sent home. Through this partnership, the family began to rebuild trust with the school. Together, we collated evidence which contributed to both a successful medical diagnosis and an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan. As a result, the pupil was able to continue his education in a mainstream setting, with the right support in place.

What challenges do you believe councils and the SEND sector are facing?

Councils across the country are facing significant challenges, not least due to the growing SEND deficits many have accumulated over recent years. The rising demand for support has outpaced available funding and resources, leaving local authorities struggling to meet statutory responsibilities while managing severe budgetary pressures.

To address these challenges, there is an urgent need to increase specialist SEND provision across all local authorities. Too many children are being placed far from home due to a lack of local placements, putting strain on families and services alike.

At the same time, mainstream schools must be better equipped to support pupils with complex needs. This requires a workforce that is well trained in SEND, trauma-informed practice and inclusive teaching strategies. This ensures that children can thrive in inclusive environments where appropriate, with the right support in place.

Without targeted investment in both infrastructure and people, the gap between need and provision will continue to widen, further disadvantaging our most vulnerable learners.

What challenges have you faced in your career and how did you overcome them?

I am an optimist by nature and always focus on finding solutions to challenges no matter how complex they may seem. I believe that honesty and transparency are essential in building trust and navigating difficult situations. Remaining firmly rooted in my core values has guided me throughout my career and helped me lead with clarity and compassion.

What reforms in SEND do you hope to see under the current government?

Under the Labour government, I hope to see meaningful reform that really impacts children, families and schools.

I would like to see:

• A focus on early intervention and support for both families and schools that ensures needs are identified. Early support can significantly improve outcomes, address issues before they escalate and reduce long-term pressures on the system.
• Effective multi-agency working with Education, Health and Care Plans developed by experienced SEND professionals, particularly SEND-trained Teachers who understand the educational landscape and can advocate appropriately for children’s needs.
• Faster, more equitable access to diagnosis, especially via CAMHS, to prevent the current delays that too often leave children and families in limbo.
• Investment in Early Years, particularly in nursery and reception to lay strong foundations for learning and development and early intervention.
• Support for families, carers, and siblings and an approach that recognises the emotional, financial and practical strain placed on those who care for children with additional needs.

What's the most valuable lesson you’ve learnt in your career so far?

The most valuable lesson I’ve learnt in my career to date is that meaningful change begins with listening. Whether working with children, families or colleagues, listening with empathy and without assumption is so important. It builds trust, reveals the heart of the challenge and leads to better outcomes for all.

I’ve also learned that staying rooted in core values such as honesty, transparency and unwavering commitment to the child provides clarity even in the most complex situations. When we lead with integrity and hold on to optimism, we can find solutions even in the most stretched systems.

What advice would you give to aspiring SEND professionals?

There is nothing more rewarding than working with children and knowing you’ve made even a small difference in their lives. It is easy to become overwhelmed by the administrative demands of the role, but it is vital to stay focused on what truly matters; the children and their needs.

Keep your purpose clear, stay child-centered, and remember every positive interaction, no matter how small, can have a lasting impact.

SEND jobs

If you’re searching for your next SEND job, why not take a look at the latest vacancies, or simply upload your CV to be notified when a relevant position becomes available.

Local authority recruitment services

As specialist local authority SEND recruiters, we support local authorities nationwide with their temporary, interim and permanent staffing needs. 

We can supply SEND staff for service redesign, tackling annual review backlogs and SEND/EHC Case workers to amend plans or hold annual review meetings. 

If you’re struggling to fill a vacancy, why not get in touch with one of our team to see how we can help?

South of the UK - Richard Shorrock
Midlands & North of the UK - Adam Zyda

Share your experience

Every individual brings a unique set of experiences, thoughts, and insights to the table. We believe in giving a voice to a community of professionals to inspire positive change and champion reform in the SEND sector.

If you work in the SEND sector and would like to share your own personal and professional experiences, we’d love to hear from you. Perhaps you have a different perspective, could offer a fresh angle, or want to challenge assumptions. 

Simply reach out to our Head of Content, Nicole Sherwood, to discuss a collaboration which makes your voice count.

Who is Spencer Clarke Group?

Established in 2017, we’re an award winning and progressive recruitment agency based in the heart of the North West. Our reputation is built on trust, expertise and an unwavering commitment to exceed expectations. 

In 2024, we were named Recruitment Agency of the Year at the prestigious Recruiter Awards, an accolade we are extremely proud of.