Families urged to speak out over SEND reform plans
Report by Duncan Williams for Pulman's Weekly News
Families across the South West are being urged to respond to proposed government changes to special educational needs support, amid concerns the reforms could weaken parents’ rights and make it harder to secure help for children.
Rebecca Roberts, an education law specialist and associate solicitor at Amicus Law, has raised concerns about proposals contained in the government’s Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) reform white paper. The firm has branches in Ilminster, Martock and Yeovil.
She said: “On the surface, these reforms are being positioned as making the system less adversarial, but when you look more closely, they risk stripping away the very mechanisms that allow parents to challenge decisions and secure the right support for their children.”
Ms Roberts highlighted several areas of concern, including a move towards generic support packages rather than individualised provision, reduced powers for tribunals to name specific school placements, and increased reliance on non-binding local complaints processes.
She warned: “There is a real risk this becomes a postcode lottery.
“Not all schools are equipped to deliver the level of support children with SEND need, and without robust safeguards, families will have fewer options to challenge that.”
She also cautioned that removing independent scrutiny could leave parents having to challenge decisions within the same system that made them.
Ms Roberts brings both professional and personal experience to the issue. Before joining Amicus Law, she worked as a headteacher, SENCO and inclusion manager, and she is also the parent of a child with significant special educational needs.
Although the government has said the reforms will be introduced gradually, she believes the long-term impact could be significant.
She said: “Small changes add up, and over time this could fundamentally reshape the system in a way that reduces accountability and access to justice for families.”
Parents, professionals and stakeholders are being encouraged to respond to the government consultation, SEND reform: putting children and young people first, before the deadline on Monday, 18th May.
Ms Roberts said: “If your child may need an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), I would strongly encourage parents to begin that process without delay.
“At the same time, it is vital that families share their experiences and concerns through the consultation.”
Ms Roberts will also speak at a parent event at The Den Coffee House in Taunton from 7.00pm to 9.00pm on Friday, 24th April.
Places can be booked in advance at : www.bookwhen.com/coffeechatandsupport/e/ev-sj98q-20260424190000
( Photo: Shelley Wiart / Pixabay Library 📸 )