#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

NEW: Our post today is dedicated to remembering AMY, @catrionamoore.bsky.social and @edreyesjourno.bsky.social “fierce, funny and fabulous” daughter whose funeral is today. You can donate to Amy’s hospice #DemelzaCharity at the link in the post: www.specialneedsjungle.com/r...

On SNJ Today: Charity @TheDifferenceEd says Whole School Inclusion isn't just a buzzword. Their new research shows it can be defined and measured around four key pillars: www.specialneedsjungle.com/i...

“Disabled young people tell us how few opportunities there are for inclusive work or training so we are extremely concerned about the removal of under 22's access to top-ups to universal credit unless they are in work or training.” @cyclingtheseaso.bsky.social www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...

Like so many SEND parents, I owe a debt to the tireless work & insights of Special Needs Jungle. I wrote this for them, about one of the lessons of my book Maybe I'm Amazed: that the decline of music in schools is a tragedy, and in mainstream & specialist places, it really matters

This is wild…

NEW POST: If no news, send rumours: The Education Committee scolds the DfE over claims of a “White Paper”, while the SEND Inquiry hears from young disabled people. www.specialneedsjungle.com/n...

Bridget, we need to talk…Thinking about SEND funding is not parents’ job—they’re worrying about their children getting an education. The present system ‘hasn’t worked’ because it was sabotaged by LAs & funding cuts. NONE of this is parents’ fault. 😡🤯 www.theguardian.com/educatio...

Even setting aside this article's daft premise - the cost comparisons only work if you ignore most of what counts as local government expenditure on road maintenance. It's deeply flawed. Never, ever get a pol corr to do a specialist's job www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

"Ministers plan major changes to SEND as a White paper is being drafted." SNJ is quoted, saying ministers will have a “massive fight on their hands” if it tries to dilute children’s SEND legal rights. “Reducing entitlement won’t make needs go away." www.theguardian.com/educatio...

SEND Parents, young people & practitioners in TORBAY, it's your area's Ofsted/CQC SEND Inspection 17-21 March. Give your views via the feedback survey from NOW- 9am on 11 March: ofsted.smartsurvey.co.uk/p/A... Read more about inspections & accessibility options: www.gov.uk/government/public...

NEW POST: How to create a successful Additionally-Resourced School: Linda Jordan of the @ndtihello.bsky.social offers a 13-step strategy and a 7-point “purpose” checklist. www.specialneedsjungle.com/a...

“Reducing Send entitlement won’t make needs go away. You just end up with lots of children with needs but no support,” said Tania Tirraoro of the campaign group Special Needs Jungle.

Unacceptable: Councils are routinely failing in their legal duty to provide full-time education for excluded pupils within six days, an investigation has found. Some youngsters are waiting two years for provision schoolsweek.co.uk/councils-f...

As a parent who has worked from home since before my kids were born I can assure Sir Martyn that I absolutely do not want my children at home while I am trying to work. Seriously fossilised thinking. Does he not understand the role that Ofsted/Covid have played here? www.thetimes.com/article/dc37...

Together we are stronger. On a cold rainy evening, families came together to protest against Waltham Forest Council's blatant disregard of special educational needs & disability law, on the first day of their Ofsted/CQC SEND inspection. #SEND #AllChildrenMatter

How lovely to see @kalayaan.org.uk pop up on here. Several happy years volunteering with you. It’s been a while!