Advocates have expressed concerns that ongoing political disruption in Westminster could jeopardise reforms to the special educational needs and disabilities (Send) system, particularly regarding the prioritisation of these changes. The warning comes as a consultation on the government's Send reforms closed late Monday night, drawing responses from young people, parents, and disability charities.
Government Proposals and Concerns
Proposals outlined in the Schools White Paper in February and the Education for All Bill in the King's Speech last week aim to “transform” the system by ensuring early access to support close to home, fostering a “truly inclusive” education experience. However, respondents have raised worries about recent ministerial resignations and reshuffles, insufficient consideration of young people's and parents' voices, weakened legal rights to challenge support decisions, and inadequate funding.
Charity and Parent Perspectives
Harriet Edwards, head of influencing at disability charity Sense and mother of a six-year-old with cerebral palsy, told the Press Association: “The worry from our perspective is very much the frenetic energy of politics at the moment. There’s a lot of change going on and all the good work that’s been done over the last four months by charities, with government, with parents, stakeholders, is at risk of being watered down or diluted because of the political environment.” She noted that while the current Cabinet has prioritised Send reforms, the resignation of Zubir Ahmed, a health minister involved in drafting the reforms, raises concerns. “I think it would just be so disheartening and disappointing for families across the country to see it fail now,” she added.
Government Reassurance
A source close to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson insisted there will be “no let up” in pursuing the reforms. “The success of the Send reforms owes much to Bridget’s ability to reach across the Parliamentary Labour Party and gather support for change in one of the most difficult areas of policy for government in the last decade,” they said. “There’ll be no let up from Bridget in the coming months – she is determined to see these reforms over the line.”
Young People's Fears
Tobias Lambe, a 21-year-old university student from Warwickshire diagnosed with autism after a mental health breakdown in Year 10, voiced concerns that the reforms could become a “political football”. He said: “These ministers that have spoken to young people and heard from young people, if they were to resign or move places not only will the people that come and replace them potentially not be as good as them and not have the same priorities, they won’t have any of the knowledge of all the young people that people have spoken to.” He added that political turmoil often leads to inaction, with young people ultimately affected.
Call for Action
Katie Ghose, chief executive of Kids Charity, urged the government to “stick to its guns and deliver urgent action”. She stated: “We cannot have a situation where children with Send suffer because of disruption in politics. This issue, which affects people all over the country, is too important for that.” The Department for Education will review consultation submissions before issuing a response.
