A national campaign backed by parents, disability groups, high-profile supporters and a cross-party group of MPs has urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer not to diminish the legal rights of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) amid proposed reforms to England’s schools white paper. The coalition argues that current proposals could weaken or remove key legal safeguards that underpin statutory support, prompting concerns from families and advocates about the potential impact on vulnerable children’s access to essential services.
The campaign, supported publicly by actor Sally Phillips alongside organisations such as Special Needs Jungle and Ipsea, has launched a petition that attracted more than 130,000 signatures and produced a video appeal directly addressed to the prime minister. At the heart of the coalition’s objection is fear that reforms designed to address funding pressures could narrow eligibility criteria for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), which legally entitle children to specific support tailored to their needs. Critics also warn that removing or curtailing parents’ rights to appeal decisions at tribunal could fundamentally alter the legal framework that protects families’ access to education and care for SEND children.
The government’s forthcoming white paper is expected to outline changes intended to integrate more SEND pupils into mainstream schools and to reform how support is delivered, with an emphasis on early intervention and local accountability. Officials point to a £3 billion investment in additional school places and ongoing consultations with parents, educators and experts as evidence of engagement with stakeholders. However, campaigners contest that without robust legal guarantees, services could be eroded in practice, leaving families with limited recourse when statutory duties are unmet.
