MPs speak up for the rights of children and young people with SEND
3 mins read
Tuesday 16 September 2025
Yesterday in Westminster Hall MPs debated the SEND education system in England, both the current state of crisis it is in, and the risks and opportunities the government’s forthcoming reforms create.
This debate was a result of the petition to retain legal rights to assessment and support in education for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) led by the Save our Children’s Rights campaign. The petition was signed by over 122,000 people.
Over the course of the three-hour debate, MPs spoke of the need for legal entitlements to Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plans to be protected, for increased accountability in the system so that parents can take action when support is not provided, for teachers to be equipped with training so they can meet the needs of SEND pupils and a new funding system which prevents the postcode lottery of levels of funding and support which currently exists.
The strengthening of SEN support was also championed. Ben Coleman MP, supporting Contact and IPSEA’s call for SEN support to be put on a statutory footing, said:
‘Let us replace the vague phrase “best endeavours” with clear statutory duties, so that schools are legally required to identify a child’s needs, put a plan in writing, and either deliver that support or refer the case to the local authority.’
In a debate where there was standing room only and so many MPs contributed, here are some additional headline points:
- Protecting EHCPs: Calls to safeguard legal entitlements to Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
- Accountability: Demands for stronger enforcement when support is not provided.
- Teacher Training: Calls for more resources and training to help schools meet children’s needs.
- Funding: The “postcode lottery” in SEND provision and money wasted on tribunals instead of support.
- Early Intervention: Repeated emphasis on catching needs earlier to prevent escalation.
- Broken Trust: MPs acknowledged the “extreme, debilitating stress” families face trying to secure basic provision.
Dr Roz Savage MP, who sponsored the debate, stressed that “generic, standardised support can lead to a loss of potential” and urged tailored provision for every child.
Clare Young MP summed up the cross-party message:
“Whatever the new system looks like, it must give legal backing to ensure that all children get an appropriate education, and it must see parents as partners, not adversaries.”
How did the minister respond?
The new Minister of State for Schools, Georgia Gould MP, responded by outlining 3 principles that she will be guided by in her new role:
- Voices first: Children, families, teachers and support staff must be at the heart of reform.
- Early intervention: Support should be provided as soon as issues appear.
- Local provision: Children should not have to travel miles away from their communities to access help.
She also made a clear commitment:
“There will always be a legal right to additional support for children and young people with special educational needs.”
What Happens Next
The Government is expected to publish its Schools White Paper later this autumn, setting out the detail of SEND reforms. .
The Education Select Committee has also confirmed their report on Solving the SEND Crisis will be published on Thursday.
