This week, we took part in national SEND discussions. These were hosted by the National Network of Parent Carer Forums (NNPCF) as part of the Department of Education’s current work on SEND reforms.

Early years and inclusion

One session focused on Early Years provision and inclusion, structured around five SEND reform principles: Early, Local, Fair, Effective and Shared. The Minister for Early Education attended to hear directly from parent carers.

Families shared experiences relating to:

Access to support at an early stage

Transitions into primary school

Access to appropriate early years settings

The information shared during this session will be collated by the NNPCF and shared with the government as part of wider SEND reform discussions.

Accountability and trust

We also attended a national meeting with the Minister for School Standards focusing on possible approaches to system change, including:

How accountability should work within a reformed SEND system

How trust between families and services can be rebuilt

How mainstream education could better include children and young people with SEND

The strength and an impact of parent carer voices shared through Parent Carer Forums was recognised by the Minister.

Training and children’s rights

A key message from PCF Cheshire West to the government has been the importance of investing in SEND training for education and early years professionals. The government has announced £200 million in funding for such training, and the PCF is following carefully for further details of how this funding will be distributed and used.

Families have raised concerns about possible changes to children and young people’s legal rights, including changes to Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). No details of changes have yet been published. Parent Carer Forums and SEND campaign groups are continuing to work together nationally to monitor developments and raise concerns where needed. We fully support the need to protect children and young people’s legal rights within SEND provision.

Looking ahead

The government now has a wealth of information from families, Parent Carer Forums and national groups. This includes lived experience, evidence and data. We hope that the government will use this evidence and show, in the resulting White Paper, its commitment to meaningful improvement in supporting children with SEND.

We will continue to represent families’ voices nationally through the National Parent Carer Forum, doing everything in our power to secure better outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

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