Last chance for parents to share views on school SEND support changes
Families have until 18 May to respond to the government’s SEND consultation for schools in England.
Parents and carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) have just five days left (until 18 May) to respond to a major government consultation on proposed changes to support in schools.
The consultation, which closes at 11.59pm on Monday 18 May, comes as the government confirmed plans for new SEND legislation in the King’s Speech through its proposed Education for All Bill.
The changes could affect how children with SEND are supported in mainstream and specialist settings in England for years to come, with ministers saying the reforms are designed to create a more inclusive education system.
Why this matters to families
Around 1.7 million children in England are identified as having SEND, which is roughly one in five school pupils.
The consultation asks parents, carers, young people and professionals for feedback on proposed changes to the current system, including how support is accessed and delivered in schools and local communities.
The government says the proposed reforms would include:
- New Individual Support Plans (ISPs) for children and young people with SEND
- National Inclusion Standards for schools
- Changes to Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) processes
- Additional protections for children with more complex needs
- Transition arrangements designed to protect existing support during any future changes
The proposed legislation is intended to support long-term changes to SEND provision, although the Bill itself has not yet been introduced to Parliament.
What the Education for All Bill means
The Education for All Bill was announced as part of the King’s Speech on Wednesday 13 May, signalling the government’s intention to bring forward legislation related to SEND reform in the future.
According to the Department for Education, the proposed changes aim to improve access to support earlier and closer to home through mainstream schools and local services.
I want to hear from as many parents as possible to make sure we build a system fit to last.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “Children with SEND deserve a system that lifts them up, and that puts no limit on what they can go on to achieve.
"The Education for All Bill is a vital lever in this process, but I am clear that any changes must be built with the families they are designed to serve.
"There are five days left to feed into our consultation, and I want to hear from as many parents as possible to make sure we build a system fit to last.”
How parents can take part
Parents and carers can respond to the consultation online through the Department for Education’s Citizen Space website before the deadline on Monday 18 May.
The consultation covers a wide range of proposed reforms to SEND support in England and gives families the opportunity to share experiences of the current system, alongside feedback on future plans.
The government says responses will help shape the next stage of the reforms before legislation is introduced.
Key dates at a glance
- Education for All Bill announced: 13 May in the King’s Speech
- Consultation closes: 11.59pm on Monday 18 May
- Who can respond: Parents, carers, young people and professionals
- Where to respond: Department for Education Citizen Space website
For parents currently navigating SEND support, the consultation may be one of the few opportunities to directly feed into planned changes before the proposals move further through the legislative process.
Read more:
Authors
Hollie is Senior Digital Journalist at MadeForMums. She writes articles about pregnancy, parenting, child health and getting pregnant. She has written for a number of national lifestyle magazines and websites over the past 12 years including Family History Monthly, You & Your Wedding and Muddy Stilettos. She has two children aged 4 and 8 and hasn't slept since 2017!