Parliamentary Drop-In
On 16th January 2024, SEND Reform England hosted a parliamentary drop-in event, sponsored by Clive Lewis MP. The event was hugely successful, with a number of cross-party MPs plus MPs secretaries, from across the county. We were joined by the campaign group "Let Us Learn Too" who share our passion for an inclusive education for all.
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SEND Reform England are lobbying at both Central and Local Government levels for a reform of the entire SEND system. We believe that a collaborative approach is needed across all political parties and key stakeholders to make meaningful changes for all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. The purpose of the Parliamentary drop-in was to engage politicians into the conversation and to build relationships to gain support in Parliament, but also drive change at a local level.
What we are asking of MPs
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Make SEND a priority - Add SEND to all party manifestos for the upcoming general election
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Pledge to speak up for the educational rights for children with SEND in parliament to put pressure on the Department for Education to reform the current system
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Work with Local Authorities to improve services locally
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Support our request for a dedicated minister for SEND
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The event was a huge success with 41 MPs in attendance and many others sending representatives in their absence. We have also had a number of MPs reach out to us after the event for a copy of our pack.
Every MP we spoke to confirmed that issues around SEND support is one of the top subjects being raised by their constituents and makes up a large part of their caseload.
It was encouraging to see so many MPs engaged in the subject and we thank every one of them for their time, commitment and support. Some key attendees include Robin Walker MP (Chair of the House of Commons Education Select Committee), Helen Hayes MP (Shadow Minister for Education), Florence Eshalomi MP (Shadow Minister Levelling Up, Housing Communities and Local Government) and Munira Wilson MP (Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Education). We would also like to thank our sponsor Clive Lewis MP for his continued support since we launched our campaign in June 2023 with our very first protest at Parliament Square Gardens. His commitment to children and young people with SEND is uncompromising.
