Special educational needs in the market place

This article explores the marketization of special educational needs (SEN) within the quasi‐market structures established by Conservative government reform of education and other public services. It considers recent legislation on SEN, including the Code of Practice, and identifies the market‐based systems and procedures, and managerialism, now characteristic of SEN policy and provision. It is argued that reform may have limited impact on choice, accountability, quality and schools’ capability to provide for SEN, and may also have various repercussions for longstanding issues in SEN policy such as equity and inclusion.