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Comment: SEND parents and carers need to be heard
Last week, I invited a group of parents and carers of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), to meet with Councillor Sam Raby, West Sussex County Council’s new Cabinet Member for Children and Young People.
The event was a listening session to hear directly from families navigating a SEND system which too often feels exhausting, complex and adversarial. I am incredibly grateful to the parents who shared their experiences with us both and spoke honestly about the challenges they face in accessing the support their children need. I wanted to ensure that their voices were heard, loud and clear, by the newly elected decision makers at the council, who have a significant challenge on their hands turning a failing ship around.
For many families, the pressure of fighting for appropriate provision has come at a huge personal cost. Parents described putting careers on hold, managing considerable emotional and financial strain, and continually battling a system that should be there to support them. These challenges were reflected at every stage of a child’s journey, from early years through to secondary school and beyond. For the children who should be at the very heart of the SEND system, I heard heartbreaking accounts of unmet needs, disrupted education and deteriorating mental health.
The conversation comes as we move towards a reformed SEND system. In a positive step, the Government has recently approved West Sussex's Local SEND Reform Plan. As a result, the council will receive financial support to help tackle its SEND funding shortfall and continue delivering local SEND services. West Sussex’s strategy is focused on improving outcomes through early help and inclusive practice, better coordination across education, health, and care services, and stronger partnership working with families, schools, and settings.
Whilst system-wide change is welcome, I also heard familiar concerns from families about what these changes will mean in practice. As the Government places greater emphasis on supporting more children within mainstream schools, there remains a severe lack of specialist capacity in West Sussex. The message from families was clear: inclusion cannot become a one-size-fits-all approach.
Families also echoed concerns I’ve heard before; the Government’s white paper proposals could weaken parents’ and carers' rights to challenge decisions about their children's support. This is one of the few levers families currently have to hold the system to account when it fails their children.
I will continue to advocate for children and families across Chichester and beyond. If you would like to share your experience, I would be pleased to hear from you. Only by listening to those at the centre of the SEND system can we ensure reforms deliver the support that children and families need.
