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UK SEND conversation accused of being performative
Special Needs Jungle criticises Government approach
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By Peter Clark (Senior Editor, Autism Info Center) Thursday 18th December 2025 |
The UK-based Special Needs Jungle describes the Department for Education's (DfE) purported "national conversation" regarding SEND reform as "performative, chaotic and desperate".
The journal argues that this engagement exercise - comprising a survey and online events - is simply timed too close to the upcoming Schools White Paper (in January 2026) to genuinely influence policy, suggesting that decisions have likely already been made.
Critics contend that the format disrespects parents by treating them as a passive audience rather than active participants, noting that online panels lacked parent representation and disabled chat functions.
Furthermore, the absence of accessible formats for the survey is highlighted as a significant barrier.
The authors fear this initiative aims to dilute existing legal protections under the guise of new reforms.
In contrast to the DfE's approach, the article concludes by advocating for the "Save Our Children's Rights" principles.
These prioritise four key requirements: having individual needs identified and met through statutory plans (EHCPs), ensuring attendance at suitable schools, receiving essential support such as therapies, and maintaining the legal right to appeal via the SEND Tribunal when needs are not met.
Source: Special Needs Jungle (UK)
https://www.specialneedsjungle.com/
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