📣 Parents & Carers — We need you to join us! ✊The Government is making BIG decisions about special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reforms — but where are the voices of the people most affected?

Yesterday, alongside @letuslearntoo we hosted a parliamentary briefing with MPs and staffers on the Schools White Paper. The discussion was constructive and focused on improving support for disabled children and the SEND system. Thank you to everyone who attended!

I’m pleased to have been given the opportunity to write this piece. System changes are no doubt needed but this cannot come at the cost of parents being able to properly appeal an unlawful decision.

Opinion | The new Schools White Paper has made some dangerous mistakes 🖊️ By Harley Harding ➡️ Read more: trib.al/yc94oui

Everything you need to know about Gov plans for #SEND reform:🎧‘SEND in the Spotlight’ @nasen_org @NDSS @RealGeoffBarton @blacksenmamas @branwenjeffreys @hazelshearing @SpcialNdsJungle @TaniaLT @ASCL_UK @jloweatBGL @teamsquarepeg @mission44 @letuslearntoo @Autism @mencap_charity

The Government has announced sweeping reforms to special educational needs and disability provision in education. What will these changes include? Committee Chair, @helenhayes_, responds 💬 committees.parliament.uk/com…

After setting out our proposals for SEND reform yesterday, I know families will have questions about what these changes could mean for them. That's why I'm grateful to Woman's Hour for letting me join them this morning to start sharing some answers. The link to listen is below. If after listening you've got thoughts and ideas, then I'd love you to share them as part of our consultation as we continue working together to build a system that meets the need of all children with SEND.   Women's Hour Link - bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002rq… Send Consultation (open till the 18th May) - consult.education.gov.uk/sen…

Parents want good, local schools that can support children with SEND to achieve, where inclusion is the norm and support comes early. You’ve spoke, we’ve listened. Labour is creating tens of thousands of specialist SEND places and giving school staff the training they need.

🚨 REMINDER: Only Labour will improve SEND support. The Tories left behind a ‘lose, lose, lose’ system in their own words. Reform UK will cut SEND support. They blame ‘naughty children’ & ‘bad parenting’. Only Labour will build a system where every child can achieve & thrive.

The most ambitious SEND training package in our country’s history. Every child in every nursery, school & college across England will be taught by staff who can support a range of needs. Labour is building schools where every child can achieve & thrive. independent.co.uk/news/uk/ho…

With SEND reforms coming and worrying stories in the news, it’s more important than ever to have your say! Complete our parent carer survey and help us show decision-makers what life is really like for families with disabled children. bit.ly/FFOSurvey25

Delighted to be talking this morning about the £3bn we are investing to create 50,000 specialist places for children with SEND. This is a massive step forward in our vision to deliver accessible, inclusive schools with more children educated in their communities.

I know some of the stories around the OBR and SEND have caused a bit of a stir. Let me clear things up 👇

Chair @helenhayes_ spoke in the House of Commons on our Solving the SEND Crisis report. The Chair stressed that the crisis in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is "not just a challenge, it's a moral imperative."

Did you watch Kellie Bright - Autism, School and Families on the Edge, last night? The incredibly powerful documentary featured scenes from our #FightForOrdinary rally last month. So many of the experiences highlighted will resonate with the families we campaign for. (1/2)

I find it remarkable that a council is promoting an interview in which their councillor said: “[Our] deficit sits at £123.2million. That is money that is really meant to be for local services, which would have ordinarily gone to repair your roads.” Children or potholes??? #SEND

SEND: ‘One size fits all doesn't work’   EastEnders actor @kelliebrightofficial has presented a special Panorama documentary, drawing on her own experience as the mother of an autistic son.   She told @bbcnuala why she wanted to continue shining a light on this ⬇️

‘The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities system is failing far too many of our children,’ says MP Helen Hayes Monthly column from MP for #Dulwich & West #Norwood #SEND @helenhayes_ southwarknews.co.uk/area/dul…

The rally was incredible. We all know what it takes for families to get out the door let alone to Westminster. Significant that @Georgia_Gould to hear from parents and the debate showed every constituency is impacted. @DCPcampaign @letuslearntoo @CutScenesUK

MPs say a major shake-up is needed to improve education for children with special educational needs and disabilities. The Commons Education Committee says the requirements of SEND pupils should be an integrated part of mainstream education. @lornashaddick reports.

The chair of the Education Committee has recommendations for any SEND reform carried out by the government. Helen Hayes tells Sky News that parents will be made "more anxious" by "any discussion about reform that starts with a reduction in current entitlements". 👇🏼