Disabled Children’s Partnership respond to white paper leak
2 mins read
Thursday 19 February 2026
This concerns the government’s long-awaited proposals to reform the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system in England.
Contact’s CEO Anna Bird is chair of the Disabled Children’s Partnership (DCP).
Anna says:
“It is deeply disappointing to see another leak about SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) reform that will add to the anxiety of families already broken from dealing with a system that doesn’t work. Behind all the speculation are parents who just want the ordinary for their children. A safe education, access to the health and social care their sons and daughters deserve, and a chance for them to make friends.
“As our conversations with families, released today, confirm, that is not happening. Because of lack of support, almost half (47%) of parents feel they can’t safely care for their children. 37% have been forced to give up work, and 57% feel they have been lied to by authorities that are meant to support them.
Watch Contact’s CEO and Chair of DCP, on ITV news this morning talking about this.
Anna continues:
“What the vast majority (98%) of families want from SEND reform is a legal guarantee to support that is outlined in a written plan and for well-trained education, health and care departments to work together to deliver that.
“What families fear most is higher thresholds for eligibility to EHC (education, health and care) plans, decreased rather than increased accountability of decision makers, and withdrawal of the right to challenge decisions.
“The Disabled Children’s Partnership has been fighting hard to make sure the voices of the hundreds of thousands of parents and young people our membership represents are heard. We will continue to do this during the 12 week consultation on the Government’s plans.”
Contact is here with support and advice
With all the current uncertainty, parent’s trust in the system is understandably at an all time low.
That’s why it’s important families have somewhere to turn. Contact is here to help families understand what they are entitled to right now and that SEND law remains unchanged.