After the disgraceful news that the Government has "already decided" on its plans for curbing the role of the SEND Tribunal, our co-Director, Gill Doherty, has this to say—don't miss this, it's important. Sign up for our legal roundtable webinar: linkthread.eu/specialneeds... youtu.be/y-xUrm2kKX8

IPSEA echoes our own concerns about the SEND proposals—we’re astonished that some other disabled children’s charities seem to think loss of rights is just dandy… SEND reforms must strengthen legal rights, not weaken them - schoolsweek.co.uk/send-refor...

On SNJ Today: A close look at the Government's proposed “Specialist Provision Packages” reveals they're a Trojan horse, reducing the #EHCP rights of children with SEND. And we're not completely sure they realise it... www.specialneedsjungle.com/s...

On SNJ Today: The Schools White Paper's #SEND consultation is being legally challenged by a parent carer, who claims the plans are an “irrational & unfair” fundamental change significantly weakening children's legal rights. @catrionamoore.bsky.social explains: www.specialneedsjungle.com/l...

On SNJ Today: We have some advice for answering the 39-step Schools White Paper SEND consultation from @captaink77.bsky.social and @tanialt.bsky.social. They'll use AI—should you? If you need additional help, do let us know. www.specialneedsjungle.com/3...

NEW POST: When “Easy Read” isn’t easy: @sharonlsmith.bsky.social asks why a consultation impacting disabled children and young people is set up to risk excluding them… www.specialneedsjungle.com/e...

SNJ's @renatawatts.bsky.social explains the government's proposed Specialist Provision Packages and how and where they fall apart—and who misses out. Find our article on this here: www.specialneedsjungle.com/s...

More leaks- and we'd rather not comment but we know others will and we want to ensure parents do not panic or worry unnecessarily. We’ll be analysing the White Paper when it's out so stay tuned. #SEND #EHCP #SaveOurChildrensRights

With a white paper expected within weeks, leaks to national newspapers offer only a piecemeal glimpse at what might happen with SEND reform. But in the background, local officials have been quietly instructed to start the wheels in motion now for a reformed system… schoolsweek.co.uk/revealed-dfe...

If drastically restricting EHCPs was always a cornerstone of the govt's SEND plans, why didn't it make the case in all the "listening" events and long months of putting up kites & briefing? If/when this move is in the white paper, it'll all look risibly cynical www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Is this really why Labour MPs think they were elected: to strip some of the most vulnerable children in the country of their right to a decent start in life? My @theipaper.com column on looming SEND reforms inews.co.uk/opinion/pare...

"A Labour Government headed by a human rights lawyer wants to protect councils that fail to meet their legal responsibilities to some of the nation’s most vulnerable young people. It wants to do so by ending the statutory right of parents to challenge wrongful decisions made by faceless officials."

Would be quite the move for such a fragile govt to try to take away the rights of some of the most put-upon, stonewalled (and very driven & tenacious) people in the country liveapp.inews.co.uk/category/419...

Even in the most optimistic reading, it will take long years to begin to turn everyday SEND provision around. It's a 15 year story of decay, at least. In the meantime, rights & redress are all hundreds of thousands of families have. If they are taken away on promises, people will fight. Ends.

Latest from me, and one of the most important pieces on Special Needs I've written so far: "In fifteen years of political journalism, I don’t think I have seen anything quite like this: a mad game of briefing, counter-briefing and official stonewalling." maybeimamazed.substack.com/p/why-the-po...

Massively important news: the biggest teaching union backs Save Our Children's Rights

#SaveOurChildrensRights campaign urges Starmer not to diminish legal rights of SEND children— we’re joining our SOCR colleagues at 1pm today at Downing Street to hand in the petition that you made such a massive change by signing. - www.theguardian.com/educatio...

SEND law is good law. IPSEA solicitors explain why, in simple terms for those finding it hard to understand—and why diluting it will harm children. #SaveOurChildrensRights www.tes.com/magazine/analysi...

On SNJ Today: Why we're just getting started on our campaign to #SaveOurChildrensRights. Here's what happened when campaigners, cross-party MPs, and (Larry the Cat), handed in our 133k-signature petition that changed the debate. Find out how to join us www.specialneedsjungle.com/c...

Our campaign group, #SaveOurChildrensRights is leading this fight and we’re ready- if the government want another benefits fiasco, bring it on. We’re strong, determined SEND parents and aLLM are welcome. Are you with us? Article: archive.is/ARzQU Socr.org.uk

On SNJ Today: Delaying SEND changes is right—as long as it's not JUST a delay. And why do the DfE letter & a new report from @ippr.org both use "most complex needs" to describe children who should be in special schools? What does the term even mean? www.specialneedsjungle.com/s...

NEW POST: Independent public accountability initiative, Measure What Matters writes an excoriating, evidence-backed article that the law on #SEND isn’t failing, it’s been systematically undermined from within. Please consider sharing with your MP: www.specialneedsjungle.com/l...

The petition to protect the rights of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities closes TOMORROW. Please sign and share as widely as possible. Children with their own email address can sign. www.saveourchildrensrights.o... www.facebook.com/share/v/1Fe...

They're toast. Official line will still be 'no decisions made', but next step will be a DfE tendering notice for Ghanian dancing pallbearers, a 10-foot floral arrangement that they'll spell "ECHP", and a post-event posting contract with Wayne Rooney

NEW POST: The Department for Education's URGENT survey for data on its new obsession: Mainstream SEND units. All good, or is there a danger of shunting children into generic provision? We give you our views, then please give the DfE yours www.specialneedsjungle.com/g...

NEW POST: Join our joint campaign to #SaveOurChildrensRights. We've launched in @theguardian.com with a letter cosigned by 100 SEND charities & groups, academics, disability campaigners & celebrities, incl Chris Packham and Christine McGuinness www.specialneedsjungle.com/s...

"We won't be removing any existing effective support" says SEND & Schools Minister Catherine McKinnell to the Education select committee. Well, that's not reassuring at all when it comes to removing rights parliamentlive.tv/event/inde...

EHC plans can be the difference between a child who has Down's syndrome thriving in school and being unable to attend at all. We support the DCP campaign that is calling on Ministers and policymakers to retain EHCPs. Please check out the letter: https://loom.ly/MjKKPw0 ‪@dcpcampaign.bsky.social‬

On SNJ Today: SNJ's @captaink77.bsky.social has delved deep into obscure statistics to uncover a curious conundrum: Despite the DfE wanting more mainstream “special” provision, resource bases and units vanish almost as often as they're created... www.specialneedsjungle.com/v...

I wrote this. I kind of had to. maybeimamazed.substack.com/p/is-the-gov...

It’s overwhelmingly mothers who fight these SEND battles, who leave their jobs, who have their lives turned upside down, & who keep on fighting for others I wonder if the No10 strategy and comms bros who’ll sign this off have clocked this

Over 64,000 signatures. Please sign and share to protect the rights of disabled children.

🚨Children with SEND deserve support, not cuts to their rights. The Children and Families Act 2014 is vital. Let's protect it — and them. Sign the petition and help @spcialndsjungle.bsky.social reach 100k signatures for a parliamentary debate. #SEND

50,000 signatures! Halfway to the 100k we need for a parliamentary debate! Have you added your name and shared with schools, colleagues, family and friends? Get Grandma to sign! Act now! Sign and Share the Parliamentary Petition to PROTECT SEND RIGHTS! www.specialneedsjungle.com/a...

NEW POST: @rachel.stopsafetyvalve.uk writes about why the petition to protect SEND rights needs 100,000 signatures—and though it's well on the way, read about why signing is vital—and if you haven’t already, please SIGN and SHARE this post and petition! www.specialneedsjungle.com/a...

The government is considering removing EHCPs for pupils with SEND in mainstream schools. SNJ team member Rachel Filmer has started a petition to call for the protection of disabled children’s rights. petition.parliament.uk/petitions/71...

The UK government is considering removing education, health and care plans for disabled children in mainstream schools. This would affect 252,000 disabled children, including my son Jack who has Down syndrome. Please sign and share this petition. petition.parliament.uk/petitions/71...

The UK government is considering removing education, health and care plans for disabled children in mainstream schools. This would affect 252,000 disabled children, including my son Jack who has Down syndrome. Please sign and share this petition. petition.parliament.uk/petitions/71...

If there is any truth to the recent ‘statutory SEND plans will only be for special school pupils’ kite-flying exercise, then it’s nailed on that there’d also be a fettering of tribunal appeal rights

If there is disquiet in Gov about expansion of Special schools & the tension with the need for a more inclusive mainstream system, then I would want some urgent action to protect Special schools from forced overcrowding. We are overwhelmed by consultation for placement & the law is not our friend.

Destroying disabled children’s rights isn’t bold and brave. It’s the exact opposite. Desperately worried about this.

On SNJ Today: Understanding the history of disabled children's education and the work of the #disability movement is vital to understand why #inclusion is important, says Dr Richard Rieser OBE. Vital for educators and families alike. www.specialneedsjungle.com/d...

NEW POST: Where is the accountability in #SEND? Catriona Moore watched the latest SEND Inquiry hearings on accountability, including her IPSEA legal colleague, who emphasised that compliance shouldn’t be optional for LAs and health services www.specialneedsjungle.com/a...

NEW POST: In this important article, inclusion expert Dr Richard Rieser OBE explains how learning from #Disability history can help create policies where inclusive education can become a reality www.specialneedsjungle.com/d...#Disability#inclusion

Musing on this. If it isn’t costed then surely it’s an idea, not a plan? Imagine trying this with your boss or bank and the response you’d get. #SEND

Love this:

“Scores of English councils could go bankrupt when hidden SEND debt reappears” - 2 stories in one paper on SEND deficits—lots of briefing by LAs going on, though some figures are wrong, SNJ's Matt says. Tania quoted in one www.theguardian.com/educatio... www.theguardian.com/educatio...

The DfE's £740m SEND capital grant for 2025-26 was first announced back in December. It's trailed as a mainstream-focused SEND investment But it isn't. As with previous grants, LAs are free to use it to build or improve either in mainstream or special - and this time, post-16 too. Is there a plan?

It looks like council Dedicated Schools Grant deficits for this year (2024-25) are coming in much worse than the Department for Education expected DfE's estimate for in-year deficit (per October 2024 NAO report) - £1.1bn Likely in-year deficit (Q3 LA out-turn forecasts) - £1.8bn

As the Spring Statement beckons, no obvious sign of the Treasury, DfE and MHCLG hammering out a deal on what to do about this Until they do, expect more briefings about SEND's 'existential' financial risk to councils - but bear in mind that real kids bear genuine existential risk here