Parent's hold protest in Liverpool to voice fears proposed SEND reforms could impact vital support

  • ITV News journalist Andrew Fletcher reports

Families have staged a protest against planned government reforms to special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support for children.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the current system “does not work” for children and parents, with Education Secretary Ms Phillipson saying too many parents are having to “fight” for the right support for their child.

But parents say new plans to change the system could strip many children of the crucial support they rely on.

Parents oppose the proposed SEND reform in fear of impact it'll have on their kids Credit: ITV News

Families gathered in Liverpool on Saturday to voice concerns that the proposed changes to the SEND system will make it harder for children to access Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), which currently guarantee extra help in school.

Mandy Smith from the SEND National Crisis Campaign explained: “The government are proposing that only the most complex children have an education health and care plan, EHCP.

"Without that support, a lot of children are not going to be able to attend school; they might be out of school.”

Parents fear that children who currently have EHCPs may lose them under the new system.

Spending on support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) has ballooned in recent years amid rising demand, leading to spiralling costs for councils and large deficits.

Alfie's parents fear kids that currently have EHCPs may lose them under the new system. Credit: ITV News

Under the new plans, 11-year-old Alfie Rimmer, who currently receives support, could lose his place at a special independent school.

Alfie said "I don’t know what it’ll be like if I weren’t in the independent school because my education will fall down a lot."

His mum, Ashlea Rimmer, added: “I have been fighting this system for six years now with my son Alfie, and it’s exhausting.

"A lot of families are in the same boat, they are fighting for EHCPs, for education, psychiatrists, occupational therapy, speech and language. It shouldn’t have to be a fight to get what your child needs.”

In England, if a child needs more support than is typically provided in mainstream schools, their parent or carer can apply for an education, health and care plan (EHCP), which sets out the extra support they are entitled to.

The government wants to have a more inclusive system, with the reforms pledging to provide “inclusive mainstream alongside high-quality specialist provision” through schools which are “equipped and funded to support children with Send to achieve and thrive in inclusive mainstream settings, working together with high-quality specialist provision”.

The government’s consultation on the proposed SEND reforms is open until 18 May. Parents hope their opposition will be enough to make ministers reconsider the changes.

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