Parents of Disabled Children Express Deep Anxiety Over Looming Send Reforms
A comprehensive new survey has uncovered significant apprehension among parents of children with multiple complex needs regarding the government's forthcoming reforms to special educational needs and disabilities (Send) provision in England. The poll, conducted for the disability charity Sense, reveals that half of the 1,000 parents surveyed feel nervous about the upcoming changes, with 45% explicitly worried that their child's support will be taken away.
Survey Highlights Widespread Distrust and Stress
The research, which focused on parents of children under 18 with complex needs including deaf-blindness, autism, physical impairments, sensory impairments, and learning disabilities, paints a picture of a system already under immense strain. Nearly half of respondents described the process of securing Send support as stressful, while one in five reported that their child's school was not delivering the legally required support outlined in their Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
These legal agreements between parents and local authorities, which detail the provision of support and are backed by appeals to a dedicated Send tribunal, are at the heart of parental concerns. With Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson preparing final drafts of the reforms expected in mid-February as part of a schools white paper, families fear their children's legal rights may be weakened.
Real-World Consequences for Families
The survey uncovered tangible impacts on family life and employment. A third of parents reported having to leave their jobs because they could not secure adequate support for their children, while 40% said they had been forced to reduce their working hours for the same reason. These statistics underscore the critical role that proper Send provision plays in enabling families to maintain economic stability while caring for children with complex needs.
James Watson-O'Neill, Chief Executive of Sense, commented: "A shocking number of children are being failed by a baffling and underfunded Send system. Too many are falling through the cracks – at the cost of their happiness, wellbeing and future life chances. So it's little surprise that parents feel deep anxiety and distrust about the upcoming education reforms."
Government Response and Proposed Solutions
The Department for Education has recently completed a national listening exercise with parents, school leaders, and interest groups to gather views ahead of the white paper's completion. A DfE spokesperson stated: "Through our national conversation, we've heard from so many families who have been failed by the Send system – with parents fighting for support and rising demand meaning children's needs are spiralling to crisis point. Our reforms will restore parents' trust by fixing what isn't working in the system."
The government has outlined several key measures, including ending the postcode lottery by strengthening support, protecting parents' rights, and investing £200 million to train all teachers on Send. Additionally, at least £3 billion has been allocated to create 50,000 new specialist places. The schools white paper is expected to outline plans to expand special needs provision in mainstream state schools, potentially allowing more children to attend local schools rather than competing for scarce special school places.
Financial Pressures and Future Concerns
The financial context adds another layer of complexity to the reforms. The Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts that spending on Send provision will reach £18 billion by 2029, with the DfE's budget expected to absorb £6 billion in local authority high-needs deficits by 2028 unless Treasury intervention occurs. Sense is calling on ministers to ensure that the needs of disabled children with complex needs are fully addressed in the reforms, warning that without robust legal rights and adequate funding, these children risk being left further behind.
Watson-O'Neill emphasised the need for systemic change: "Instead, the government must listen to families and use this moment to build a properly funded Send system, where children's legal rights to education are protected. That must include a joined-up workforce strategy and sustained investment in the professionals who support disabled children to learn."
As the February deadline approaches, parents across England await the details of reforms that will significantly impact their children's educational journeys and future prospects. The survey results suggest that rebuilding trust will require not just policy changes but demonstrable improvements in how support is delivered and protected for some of society's most vulnerable learners.
