Campaign group launches ‘Dear Prime Minister’ video urging Government to safeguard SEND legal rights ahead of Schools White Paper

The Save Our Children’s Rights (SOCR) campaign video, ‘Dear Prime Minister’, features actor and campaign supporter Sally Phillips, alongside parents, carers, children and young people from across England.

In the video, campaigners call on the Prime Minister to protect and properly enforce the existing SEND legal framework, warning that any dilution of legal rights would have severe consequences for families. 

The coalition of campaigners includes the ‘Special Needs Jungle’ parents’ group and charity IPSEA - the independent provider of special education advice.

According to SOCR, campaign partners will also visit 10 Downing Street to hand in a petition signed by 132,789 supporters, calling on the Government to retain the legal right to assessment and support in education for children with SEND.

The Schools White Paper is expected to be published soon, and campaigners fear the government’s priority is to cut the increasing cost of SEN provision by changing the ways children qualify for extra support.

Madeleine Cassidy, Chief Executive at IPSEA, said: “Now more than ever, children and young people with SEND need a system that works for them, underpinned by strong, enforceable legal rights. These rights are not optional; they are essential protections that ensure families can secure the support their children need to access education and thrive.

“Weakening the SEND legal framework would strip families of these protections, leaving many parents without recourse, and risking undoing decades of hard-won progress toward inclusive and equitable education.”

Tania Tirraoro, Founder of Special Needs Jungle, said: “The SEND crisis is the result of years of underfunding and cuts, which have driven widespread unlawful decision-making and left thousands of children without vital education, health and care support. We are concerned that the Government will try to withdraw existing legislation that when properly implemented, protects the rights of disabled children.” 

In October last year, the Government confirmed it was to delay setting out reforms to special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) services until “early in the New Year".

The delay was described by the County Councils Network as “massively disappointing”, with the organisation calling for “comprehensive changes” to make the SEND system sustainable and address the “dramatic rise” in costs.

The Department for Education has been approached for comment.

Lottie Winson