Explorikids SEND Support Advocacy

The DfE’s response to the consultation makes one thing clear: your views on the SEND Tribunal don’t matter—they’ve already decided to weaken it.

For our children with SEND, we cannot accept this.

👉 Contact your MP today and tell them to defend the SEND Tribunal
Find your MP here: https://www.writetothem.com

We cannot stay silent while decisions are made about us, without us.

Equality is not the same as equity.

And in SEND, that difference matters.

The new SEND white paper consultation gives professionals across education, health and support services a real opportunity to shape what the future of SEND provision looks like.

Equality means giving every child the same support.

But equity means recognising that children have different needs and ensuring the right support is in place so every child has the opportunity to thrive.

At Explorikids SEND Support Advocacy, we see every day how the right adjustments, understanding, and advocacy can transform a child’s experience of education.

This consultation is a chance for professionals to share what is working, what isn’t, and what needs to change.

📣 If you work in SEND, education, therapy or family support, I encourage you to respond to the consultation.

Respond to the SEND Reform Consultation (Department for Education): https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/send-reform-putting-children-and-young-people-first

💬 I’m also really interested to hear from colleagues across the sector:

What does true equity in SEND look like in your setting?

📢 SEND Parents & Carers – Our Voices Matter Right Now

The government has published proposals for SEND reform, and there is an open opportunity for families to respond.

This isn’t about panic.
It’s about participation.

Before you submit your response, please take into account:

🧩 There is no clear commitment around reasonable adjustments in relation to internal exclusions.

📚 EOTAS (Education Otherwise Than At School) is not mentioned.

⚖️ At present, SEND appeals go to the First-tier Tribunal against Local Authorities.
Under the proposals, SEND Tribunals may no longer be able to name placement or specific provision.

If that happens, disputes around placement or provision could potentially move towards disability discrimination or Equality Act routes instead.

❗ It’s important to be clear:

The law has NOT changed.
The Children and Families Act 2014 remains in force.
EHCP rights remain in force.
Nothing in this White Paper is law now.

Any legislative change would not be implemented until around 2029.

Right now, rights remain exactly as they are.

This consultation is about shaping the future — and families must be part of that.

✍️ When you respond:
• Share your lived experience
• Be clear about what works
• Be clear about what must not be weakened
• Ask for clarity where there are gaps

If you have concerns about:
– Internal exclusions and reasonable adjustments
– The absence of EOTAS
– Changes to Tribunal powers
– Accountability and enforceability

Please say so in your response.

This is about protecting children’s rights and ensuring no community is left behind.

🔗 Respond here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-send-reforms-sheets

Let’s make sure decisions about SEND are shaped with families, not just about families.

Helping support a local primary school in Bromley 💖 Get in touch if you can help

🚨Every Child Achieving & Thriving🚨
What SEND Parents Should Be Asking
🗣️ Consultation Questions That Matter

Parents and carers — the new Every Child Achieving & Thriving White Paper sets out a vision for education reform.

The ambition sounds positive.
But implementation is everything.

These are some of the key questions SEND families and advocates should raise during consultation.

This isn’t about being negative.
It’s about being informed, constructive and protective of our children’s rights.

Save this post. Share it. Take these questions with you. 💛

💰 Funding

Where is the money?

Ask:
• Is there new, ring-fenced SEND funding?
• How will funding reach schools directly?
• How will mainstream settings be resourced for complex needs?

No funding = no real change.

⚖️ Legal Rights

Are EHCP protections safe?

Ask:
• Will statutory SEND rights remain unchanged?
• Are thresholds for assessment changing?
• How will parental preference be protected?

Rights must not be diluted.

🏫 Inclusion in Reality

What does “successful inclusion” mean?

Ask:
• How will inclusion quality be measured?
• What happens if placement isn’t working?
• Who decides what is “suitable”?

Inclusion must work for the child — not just the system.

🧠 Staffing & Expertise

Who will deliver this?

Ask:
• How will SENDCo workload be addressed?
• How will specialist shortages be fixed?
• Will SEND training be mandatory for all staff?

Ambition needs expertise.

📊 Attendance & Anxiety

How will attendance targets account for SEND?

Ask:
• How will EBSA be recognised?
• Will flexible, trauma-informed approaches be supported?
• How will punitive measures be avoided?

Attendance cannot override wellbeing.

🌱 Early Support

Early identification — but then what?

Ask:
• Will early years settings get funding?
• How will early identification lead to actual provision?
• How will transitions be strengthened?

Early support must mean early help.

🧩 Accountability

How will we know it’s working?

Ask:
• What are the measurable milestones?
• Who is accountable if outcomes don’t improve?
• How will progress be reported publicly?

If it isn’t measurable, it isn’t protected.

Hi everyone — hope you’re all having a restful half term 💛

It looks like (following yet another press leak) that the long-awaited SEND White Paper on reform is due to be published next week.

There have already been multiple reports suggesting potentially significant changes — including concerns about a proposed non-appealable four-tier system of support before an EHCP could be accessed, and suggestions that EHCPs may in future be limited largely to children in specialist settings.

We don’t yet know the final detail. But whatever is published, the upcoming 12-week consultation period will be absolutely crucial. We all need to understand what’s being proposed and how it could affect our children — particularly if statutory rights are weakened or removed.

If necessary, we must be ready to respond collectively and contact our MPs to ensure our children’s rights and protections are not eroded.

This is a pivotal moment for SEND families. Let’s stay informed and support each other. 💪

🚨 The law isn’t optional — and neither is fairness. 🚨
If you’re a parent, educator or advocate frustrated by exclusion-first mindsets in schools, this powerful new piece breaks down exactly why the Equality Act 2010 isn’t just guidance — it’s a legal duty schools must follow. You’ll see how discriminatory approaches to behaviour and exclusions don’t just hurt kids, they create legal liability too — and families are waking up to that reality. ⚖️📚

💥 Truth bomb: Inclusion isn’t about softness — it’s about rights, respect and real accountability. Schools can’t just shrug off duties to make reasonable adjustments or treat disabled pupils differently without justification. 

👉 Read more here: https://open.substack.com/pub/senddaddiaries/p/the-law-is-not-optional-why-the-equality?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

The Law Is Not Optional - Why the Equality Act 2010 Trumps Your Behaviour Policy I can't think how many times I’ve heard variants of a sentence - certainly it’s more times than I can count on all my fingers and toes - usually from let’s say, “less than enlightened” figures in education.

💛 Every little bit makes a big difference 💛
I’m raising money for a cause that really matters to me, and I’d be so grateful for your support. If you can donate or even just share, it would mean the world 🌍✨

👉 Donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Maira1769120547889?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

Thank you for the kindness, encouragement, and love 💫

Fundraiser for The National Autistic Society Help Maira G A - Chamberlin raise money to support National Autistic Society

🚨 Every child deserves to be seen — not just after it’s too late. 🚨

Right now in the UK there’s a petition calling on Parliament to fund mandatory neurodevelopmental screening for all children 🇬🇧 — so that kids who are autistic, ADHD, dyslexic or have other neurodivergent profiles can get support early, not after crisis hits. Early screening means better outcomes at home, at school, and for mental health — shifting us from reacting to preventing. 

✨ No child should be overlooked because services aren’t there soon enough. Let’s push for change together.

👉 Sign the petition here:
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/731574

📣 Do it for every child waiting for support — and share this so we hit 100,000 signatures!
We can make Parliament take notice if enough of us speak up! 💪

Petition: Fund mandatory neurodevelopmental screening for all children Screening could take place in primary care, including GP appointments, health visitor reviews, and school entry health at key developmental stages. It should involve early, trauma-informed, and identity-safe screening tools, with clear referral pathways, follow-up support, and outcomes monitored.