Engaging in National SEND Reform Discussions

January 13, 2026

(photo credit - David Burton-Sampson MP (Team) - Facebook)



Engaging in National SEND Reform Discussions


As you are aware, the Schools White Paper is due to set out the Government’s planned reforms to the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system. We are very proud to be involved in these important discussions and are committed to engaging with every opportunity available to ensure parent carer voices are represented.


We have attended several ministerial meetings hosted by the Minister for Education, Georgina Gould OBE, MP, which form part of the Department for Education’s wider SEND reform programme. These meetings brought together a range of stakeholders to explore SEND reform through the five key principles set out by the DfE: early, local, fair, effective and shared.


Alongside these, we have also taken part in Parent Carer Forum (PCF)–specific meetings, which provide a dedicated space for PCFs to contribute directly to the reform process. We continue to attend both public ministerial and PCF-focused sessions, ensuring that we are fully engaged in all discussions made available to us.


Within the recent PCF-specific meetings, solution-focused discussions explored two key areas:
• what accountability is needed in a reformed system to support an effective and inclusive mainstream education system; and
• what the key foundations are for building trust with parent carers across the SEND system.


In addition to live discussions, PCF members shared extensive feedback through chat functions and written comments. This combination of lived experience, shared themes and practical suggestions was fed back collectively to the Minister to support ongoing SEND reform work. The Minister acknowledged both the complexity of the challenges and the value of the constructive contributions shared through Parent Carer Forums, recognising the importance of collective parent carer insight.


At a local level, we were also particularly pleased to meet with our MP, David Burton-Sampson, and are grateful for his time and engagement. This meeting enabled us to contribute directly to Southend’s response to the Schools White Paper, ensuring that local parent carer perspectives were included.


We remain committed to listening to parent carers, gathering shared experiences, and representing those voices wherever opportunities arise — locally, regionally and nationally — as SEND reform continues to develop.


(NB - photo credit David Burton-Sampson

SEND Reform Engagement Event - 17th April 2026

April 17, 2026
The SEND Partnership hosted an information Event today and presented an overview of the key proposed changes, highlighting the areas the government is consulting on, and empowering parent carers with the information needed to share their views with confidence. We're pleased to share the presentation slides for parent carers who would like to revisit the information or find out more about the proposed changes. SEND Reform Information Day Slides. We hope that those who attended found the session informative and helpful in explaining the SEND reform proposals. Your views are incredibly important. We are continuing to gather feedback from parent carers through our survey, which will help shape our formal response to the SEND White Paper. We would really value hearing from as many parent carers as possible. Complete the survey. We would also encourage you to share your views directly with the government too by responding to the official consultation, so your voice is heard at a national level as well. Government Consultation . Thank you for your continued support and engagement.

Topic Talks for SEND Information Day - We need your help!

March 30, 2026
SEND Information Day – 16th June We’re planning our upcoming topic talks for our SEND Information Day, on Tuesday 16th June and we want them to reflect what you really want to hear about. What would you like to know more about? What information or support would make the biggest difference to you right now? The talks will be organised under three main areas: • Education • Health • Social Care Is there something you’ve been struggling to understand? A topic you feel isn’t talked about enough? Or something you’d really like clearer information on? – Your feedback will help shape the event talks. Please note that we won’t be discussing the proposed SEND reforms on the day, as the consultation closes in mid-May and we’ll be waiting for the outcome by the time the information day takes place. Please complete our short survey with your ideas. Thank you for helping us make this day as useful and supportive as possible for parent carers

SEND Newsletter

March 11, 2026
Have you signed up to the monthly SEND Newsletter yet? 📩 The SEND Newsletter is a monthly e-newsletter from the Southend SEND Partnership, bringing together organisations and services that support children and young people with SEND and their families in Southend. It’s designed to keep you up to date with local information, opportunities and support available to families. We contribute to the newsletter each month too, so it’s a great way to see what we’re sharing alongside updates from other local services. Subscribe here:

SEND Information Day - 16th June 2026

March 9, 2026
Event details SEND Information Day Southend SEND Independent Forum (SSIF) and the SEND Local Offer Team are pleased to announce the second Southend SEND Information Day on Tuesday 16 June 2026. This is a free event for the Southend SEND community. It is open to parent carers or family members of children or young people with SEND, and professionals. Venue: Southend Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 6ER Time: 9.30am to 2.30pm Hold the date - further information to follow soon! For a taste of what to expect at the event in June, read about the 2025 SEND Information Day and watch videos here . Pre-register for the event! You can just drop-in on the day, but why not make things easier and pre-register?! Get advance information about the event direct to your inbox, so you can plan your visit and make the most of your time.