Government urged to keep education plans for children with special needs
Education: Secondary / Mon 7th Jul 2025 at 08:38am
MINISTERS are facing calls to not cut education plans for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (Send).
Campaigners say education, health and care plans (EHCPs) are “precious legal protections”, warning that thousands of children could lose access to education if the plans are abolished.
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2vn950d5go
David Forman
2025-07-07 09:36:12
The BBC article refers to a letter sent to the Guardian signed by prominent campaigners, including child development specialists and disability researchers such as Professor Simon Baron-Cohen Director, Autism Research Centre, Cambridge University. A key paragraph of the letter says: "For more than 40 years, children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities have had a statutory right to an education that meets their needs. Set alongside catastrophic plans to cut benefits for disabled people, this raises the question of who we are as a country and the kind of society in which we want to live. Whatever the SEND system’s problems, the answer is not to remove the rights of children and young people. Families cannot afford to lose these precious legal protections." See letter at https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/jul/06/the-right-to-an-education-health-and-care-plan-must-be-retained
David Forman
2025-07-07 09:39:01
The Guardian letter then refers readers onto a Save Our Children's Rights website and petition. I hope many readers will sign the petition at https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/711021
gary roberts
2025-07-07 12:05:14
If these reports have any substance and credibility those that voted Labour last year must be asking, why? Indeed Ellen Wilkinson the education secretary in 1945 would be shouting, is this really a Labour party I was so proud to serve. The reply would come NO! I can hear the PLP beginning to trash this policy just like the last.
Adrienne
2025-07-07 23:39:33
Disabled children and adults have a different way of life.And as such should be treated with more respect. Not one of them have the same requirements and as such do not fit into societies near little boxes . Children can be teased in normal schools.I think They should be given one to one educational tutoring. Anyone with a brain cell who be civilised enough to realise that they have more innate needs . There should be more space in society to give them the decency and care that they deserve.
Bob's your uncle
2025-07-08 06:57:32
Adrienne, anybody with half a brain cell Would realise theres not enough tutors to see 1 to 100 kids let alone 1 to 1.
Sylvester
2025-07-08 19:12:03
If Kier says cut it, Chris ( I used to be a teacher) Vince will vote in favour of it.
Kim
2025-07-09 09:47:07
This is wrong on many many levels. I don't understand why this government are gunning for the vulnerable in society. ITS NOT WHAT OLD LABOUR STOOD FOR. BECAUSE THIS IS NOT OLD LABOUR, AND PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THIS. It's a crule nasty government, that is trying to get money of the backs of the vulnerable, juggling the books on the backs of us all. Chris vince will back this all so, along with cuts to wealth fair and pip cuts,, because his watching his own back.. .. It's turns my stomach, it's despicable, it's shameful.
Adrienne
2025-07-09 18:25:22
BoB.Alot of needs children need extra special care.They also deserve it.With one to one you can have more progress. Then some of them can go on to being able to communicate effectively enough to perhaps ask to go to the toilet. State schools are sadly not allowed equipped to teach seriously disabled children. This sometimes makes it difficult to educate the rest of the children. I think (with my quarter of a brain cell),Even I can see what disabled children deserve. Just because they deserve it does not mean they will get it though . Even so there's alot of clubs in Harlow that cater very well for them.I think they could do with extra funding. I wouldn't like you to be my dad BoB As a civilised country I would hope that we could Be more understanding.Obviously,not all disabled children would need one to one But for those who are less capable,I think it should be mandatory.hugs.
Marie
2025-07-10 00:19:32
This disgrace of a Labour Government have attacked the elderly, poor and the vulnerable. Now going after children with special educational needs. Where does this shower of shite get off!! As for you Chris vince start backing your constituents, those that voted you in. I'm happy to say I was NOT one of them, But no doubt you will follow the leader regardless of those in desperate need of support. Your Need is Obviously more important!!!
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