The Sutton Trust joins the SEND Advisory Network to discuss ‘Double Disadvantage’

Amazing Apprenticeships’ SEND Advisory Network consists of over 300 careers professionals from across England, meeting termly and representing mainstream schools, special schools, SEMH settings, employment services such as Jobcentre Plus, Local Authorities, training providers and employers.

At our latest meeting on Thursday 4^th June, members were joined by Charlotte O’Regan, Schools Engagement Lead at The Sutton Trust, the UK’s leading social mobility charity. Charlotte shared key findings from two of The Sutton Trust’s research reports: Double Disadvantage? and Selective Inclusion.

Double Disadvantage?

The Double Disadvantage? report highlights the strong link between SEND and socio-economic disadvantage, showing that pupils facing both are more likely to experience poorer outcomes than their more affluent peers. It also reveals significant inequalities in access to support, with middle-class families reporting greater confidence in navigating the SEND system and higher satisfaction with the support their children receive.

Read the full report here: suttontrust.com/our-research/double-disadvantage

Selective Inclusion

Building on the Double Disadvantage? report as well as the government’s White Paper Every child achieving and thriving, The Sutton Trust released their Selective Inclusion research. This research further analysed the relationship between disadvantage and SEND, and how this impacts school admissions. The findings suggest that schools which under-represent disadvantaged pupils are also likely to under-represent those with SEND, with particularly low representation among pupils who experience both.

Read the full report here: suttontrust.com/our-research/selective-inclusion

Network members valued the opportunity to hear from Charlotte about the research findings, whilst also sharing their own experiences of similar challenges within their settings. Feedback on the meeting was incredibly positive, with one attendee sharing “I just wanted to email to say what an amazing meeting yesterday. It was so insightful and I look forward to the next one. Thank you for all you do to facilitate these.”

If you share our commitment to helping young people with additional needs access apprenticeships and would like to be part of conversations driving positive change for learners with SEND, we encourage you to join the free SEND Advisory Network by completing the short sign-up form below. Meetings are held online, with the next session taking place on Thursday 3 December 2026.

Join the SEND Advisory Network