Families Must Continue to be Heard as SEND Reforms Approach

Dingley’s Promise recently held a roundtable alongside parliamentarians, sector experts, and families to discuss the impact of the Government’s proposed SEND reforms. While there was recognition that fundamental change must take place, there was also real trepidation about whether the system can reshape in time to deliver that support consistently and fairly. 

Following the discussion, three key messages came through clearly. 

First, there needs to be a cultural change. In its current form, parents and professionals feel they have sunk into a cycle of blame and finger-pointing. A culture that either locates the fault at parental failings, or councils not doing enough as they face widespread bankruptcies, or teacher’s accused of neglecting children without always receiving the specialist training required. 

This has become an all-too-common experience for families who are disillusioned and exhausted as they fight for basic support while children continue to lose out. Collaboration and collective effort, not confrontation, must become the focus to ensure that each segment of the system improves.  

Second, to help overhaul this culture, early Intervention is crucial. With greater responsibility falling on mainstream settings, attendees stressed the importance of providing those on the ground with the right skills and knowledge to properly help SEND children. 

As teaching unions warn that insufficient staff numbers will be unable to deliver the help that is needed, they dread that they will become the barrier to change as unsustainable pressure and a lack of resources stretches them too far. 

With a number of new frameworks expected to be introduced in 2026-2027, acting early and putting that bespoke support in place now, such as through active workload management and protected budgets, would give schools the time and certainty needed to adapt. 

Third, decisions around EHCPs. Again, parents expressed fears around the proposed move from EHCPs to Individual Support Plans (ISP). Understandably, questions were raised about who the decision-makers will be for each case, what decisions will be based on, and whether ISP’s risk creating a one-size-fits all approach when each child’s needs are distinct and nuanced. 

The Government’s consultation on SEND reforms has now closed, and ministers are currently considering your feedback with no confirmed timeline for a response. For many families, schools, and professionals, we’re now in a strange sense of limbo: major changes are approaching, you’ve expressed your worries, but there is little clarity over whether there will be a change of course before the final reforms are announced.  

But these conservations will not stop there, and I will continue making sure your concerns are heard. My SEND survey remains open, and the response so far has been incredibly valuable.  Your experiences will help build our case for change locally and nationally. 

Please do share your experience of the SEND system here: SEND Survey | Lee Dillon MP