Parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are being encouraged to take part in the Government’s current consultation on proposed SEND reforms, amid growing concern that important rights and protections could be weakened.
The consultation, titled “SEND reform: putting children and young people first”, is open to parents, professionals and stakeholders, and closes on 18 May 2026. While the proposals are being presented as ways to simplify a complex and often stressful system, there are worries that some of the suggested changes could make it harder for families to secure the right support for their children.
Concerns about the direction of SEND reform
Rebecca Roberts, Associate Solicitor at Amicus Law, specialises in education law and has been closely reviewing the proposals set out in the Government’s SEND reform white paper. She is urging parents across the South West to engage with the consultation and make their voices heard before decisions are finalised.
Rebecca’s concerns centre on a shift in how support is delivered and, crucially, how decisions can be challenged. While reducing conflict within the system is a positive aim, there is a risk that this could come at the expense of enforceable rights for families.
As Rebecca explains, when the proposals are examined more closely, they suggest a system where parents may have fewer tools to challenge decisions or ensure that their child’s individual needs are properly met.
What are the key issues for families?
Among the proposals causing most concern are:
- A move away from individual, child-centred provision towards more generic “packages” of support, which may not reflect a child’s specific needs
- Reduced powers for tribunals to name school placements, potentially limiting meaningful, enforceable outcomes
- Greater reliance on local complaints processes, which lack legal enforceability
- The removal of independent scrutiny, with parents expected to challenge decisions within the same system that made them
- A stronger emphasis on mainstream inclusion, despite wide variation in how prepared schools are to deliver appropriate SEND support
Together, these changes raise the risk of inconsistent outcomes depending on where a family lives.
“There is a real danger of a postcode lottery,” Rebecca explains. “Not all schools are equipped to deliver the level of support children with SEND need, and without strong safeguards, parents may have far fewer options to challenge that.”
Why Rebecca’s perspective matters
Rebecca brings both professional and personal experience to this area of law. Before joining Amicus Law in 2025, she worked as a Headteacher, SENCO and inclusion manager, and she is also a parent to a child with significant special educational needs.
This combination of legal expertise and lived experience gives her a clear view of how policy changes play out in real life for families navigating the SEND system.
While the Government has indicated that reforms would be introduced gradually, Rebecca warns that small changes can add up over time, potentially reshaping the system in ways that reduce accountability and access to justice for families.
What parents can do now
Parents are strongly encouraged to take two key steps:
- Engage with the consultation
Sharing your experiences, concerns and views before the consultation closes on 18 May 2026 is one of the most direct ways to influence what happens next. - Do not delay seeking support
If you believe your child may need an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), beginning that process sooner rather than later is important, particularly during a period of potential change.
Local support for parents
To help parents better understand the proposed changes and what they could mean in practice, Rebecca will be hosting an informal parent talk at The Den Coffee House in Taunton on 24 April, from 7pm to 9pm.
The session will provide an opportunity for parents to ask questions, share concerns, and gain clarity in a supportive, relaxed environment.
To book a place, visit: Parent Talks – Booking by Bookwhen
