UK Government Consultation on SEND

[JMK]

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-launches-national-conversation-on-send
 

 

Government launches national conversation on SEND

Government acts on commitment to put parents’ experiences at the heart of SEND reform through new public engagement campaign. 

 

For those parents interested, please see link to the Govt website 

 

The London event is booked out but there remains spaces for the online events including today and next week 

[Chick]

What is SEND

 

[Pugwash]

Special Educational Needs

[PeckhamNicola]

I attended the first 1 hour online session. Not a conversation at all. This is a good summary: https://www.specialneedsjungle.com/performative-chaotic-desperate-dfes-national-send-conversation/

[PeckhamNicola]

Here is another article from the excellent Special Needs Jungle (SNJ) with tips for responses to the SEND conversation survey. Including shoe horning in EHCPs which they "forget" to ask a question about in the conversation. And living as we do in Southwark with the huge misfortune of 100% academy secondary schools, some thoughts on this and how unlikely inclusion in mainstream is within the current education landscape. Closing date 14 Jan 2026. And please consider a donation to the excellent entirely run by volunteers SNJ.

In my view the government could save money by creating some smaller mainstream secondary schools for kids who can cope in primary school but not  with the scale of secondary, and need a calmer less busy setting. The funding would have to be different - it is currently on a per pupil basis which favours larger schools. But it would undoubtedly be cheaper than specialist provision, and the huge cost to individual children and families (emotional and financial) and to society.

https://www.specialneedsjungle.com/tips-help-complete-governments-send-conversation-survey-law/

If anyone wants to take a radical step to help their struggling child, my tip is to move far away: these are the best two schools I have ever visited and in a beautiful part of the country. I only wish we'd moved there before it was too late for my son who had to suffer multiple failings at Charter North and then at the hands of Southwark SEND, out of education from February to October in year 10-11, having already suffered the enduring trauma of a very difficult early life, which in combination with ADHD made his time at schools which just don't care so very unbearable for all of us.

https://www.cartmelprioryschool.co.uk/

https://settlebeck.org/

As an add on, I would say to anybody considering adoption, please take into account the education battles that you are very much more likely to face than the average parent. First you have schools to deal with, already terrible; then being passed from pillar to post within Southwark Education, SEND, Education Inclusion Team, round and round as they all do their best to explain why they are not responsible and you need someone different, let's hold another multi-agency meeting, never for one minute considering that if they put the child at the centre and used common sense they would achieve a lot more in much less time without loads of Southwark employees sitting in endless meetings with long suffering parents. It is hard to fully imagine this at the start of your adoption journey, full of hope as you are, but truly education is not for the faint hearted, and should be factored into your decision. You'll never hear from people who are really struggling and continue to do so, only from those who've had challenges but overcome them and it's all lovely. And education, the very people who should be there to help, are the ones who make your lives the most hellish out of everything your child and you face.

Edited December 22, 2025 by PeckhamNicola

[lollol]

I know people won’t have any sympathy but the SEND challenge was brought up when taxing parents who have opted for independent school to meet a child’s SEND needs. Funding crisis is getting worse and the VAT on Education pushed children out of independent schools, now their SEND needs are to be met by the state.

[PeckhamNicola]

An update, and at the bottom of the article ways to get involved and have a voice. National 'conversation' responses close 14th Jan. 

https://www.specialneedsjungle.com/leaks-denials-fake-conversations-not-inspire-parental-confidence-send/

Closer to home, Councillor Ali has conducted a review of parent and child experiences of exclusions in Southwark and reports back to those who contributed at a dated TBC in January. If it is a date which I can attend then I'll share feedback. If not, is anyone else going who could let me know what is said?