Every child gets just one childhood. It is therefore our duty – indeed, our moral obligation – to ensure that all young people are given the best start in life. For those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), or those in alternative provision, access to timely and effective support is not simply helpful – it is essential.
There is much in our current SEND system of which we can be proud. Across England, dedicated professionals in education, health, and care professionals work tirelessly to support children with additional needs. Thanks to them, thousands of young people receive the assistance they need to thrive.
Under the previous Conservative government, we took important steps to strengthen this support and make it more consistent across the country. The 2023 SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan was a key moment in this journey – designed to tackle the so-called "postcode lottery" in access to services, and ensure that families, wherever they live, receive the help they deserve.
Here in Solihull West & Shirley, those reforms are bearing fruit. The Department for Education has approved a new 150-place special free school on Tanworth Lane, Shirley. This new facility, tailored for pupils aged 11 to 19 with complex needs, reflects a genuine commitment to investing in community-specific provision. For me, this is not just about expanding the educational capacity of our area – it is about improving life chances.
We are also fortunate to have existing schools like Hazel Oak and Reynalds Cross, which continue to provide exceptional support to children with moderate to profound learning difficulties in a nurturing, inclusive environment. Their work makes a real difference to families across our community.
However, we must not allow ourselves to become complacent. The truth is, too many children are still missing out on the support they urgently need. I hear all too often from parents battling for an Education, Health and Care Plan, facing delay after delay. I hear of children struggling to access the curriculum because the right support simply is not there. And I hear, time and again, the frustration of parents who feel ignored - who feel their voices are not being listened to..
Recent policy changes introduced by the current government deserve serious scrutiny. From 1 January this year, a new 20%VAT on independent school fees has come into effect. Whilst intended to raise revenue, there are legitimate concerns that this tax will hit children with SEND hardest; particularly those whose needs can only be met in the specialist independent settings.
At the same time, increases to employer National Insurance Contributions are placing extra strain on school staffing budgets. Taken together, these measures risk weakening our education sector at the very moment we should be strengthening it.
I will continue to hold the Government to account on these issues – locally and nationally. Because, whatever the political climate, one principle must remain constant: every child, no matter their needs or background, deserves the opportunity to succeed.
