A critical moment for SEND: Join our campaign for change


At Sense, we support over 5,000 disabled children with complex needs. Every day, we see how barriers in the education system shut children out of learning and opportunity.

The Government has set out proposals for future reform. This does not immediately change SEND law, and your child’s legal rights to support remain in place.

SEND reforms: what we think

What we welcome

  1. Government focus on reforming the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system
  2. Support for all children with SEND
  3. Investment and focus on specialist support

What we are concerned about

  1. Changes to EHCP  rights and assessments
  2. A lack of detail of how social care and health providers will support children in their education
  3. Capacity and funding to deliver the government’s vision

The SEND proposals were subject to a consultation period that closed at 11.59pm on the 18 May 2026.

The Government now reviews the feedback, and proposals may be changed, delayed, or taken forward.

Any measures that become law will go through further parliamentary steps – with more opportunities for feedback along the way.

A young boy holding a light up toy. He wears glasses and has a cochlear implant.

Our response to the SEND white paper

Read our response to the government’s consultation on SEND reforms.
A young boy wearing glasses smiles at the camera next to his mum, who has blonde hair and is wearing a grey t-shirt

Watch our SEND reforms webinar

Thanks to those of you who signed up to our SEND reforms webinar. Watch the recording.
The UK Parliament building in London

The Government's proposals

Our guide to the SEND white paper.
Photo of Natalie and Azariah, single mother who's son is supported by Sense. Natalie campaigns for SEND reforms.

Our SEND campaigning so far

Read the latest blogs from our SEND campaign
Harvey's mum Kim is a woman with long blonde hair. She is wearing a blue dress.

Like so many parents of disabled children, I’ve learned that loving your child isn’t enough. You also have to fight. Constantly.

I’m campaigning alongside Sense on SEND reform, because what families like ours are facing right now is frightening – and it cannot be ignored.

Kimberly, mother of Harvey

The importance of speaking up

Natalie lives in the West Midlands. She is a single parent to her son, Azuriah, who has complex needs, and campaigns for better SEND support for families like hers.

Video description of Natalie's video

A close-up of Natalie wearing a brightly coloured top sitting on a sofa in an activity room at Touchbase Pears in Birmingham.

Natalie: I think it’s very easy for our decision makers and our MPs to go to Parliament and make decisions that they have no they they could never fathom what a day in the life of a send child looks like or a send family looks like.

Natalie: So if you’re making a decision on something that you want exposed to or be informed about, then more than likely that decision is not going to look like the best outcome for those that are deeply affected.

Natalie: So tell your story.

Natalie: We are a community and we are all together and I think the solution comes from us not only sharing but coming together to challenge.

Natalie: It’s important that they’re not only listen, but they act in the interest of those that are living in a polar opposite world.

The Sense logo appears.

Who are we? 

Sense is here to break down barriers alongside disabled people with complex needs. We use our knowledge and expertise to deliver personalised, creative and flexible support at every stage of life.

Together, we can achieve long-term change. Through our campaign work we step up in the face of adversity and unite with the 1.6 million disabled people with complex needs in the UK. 

To find out more, contact our policy, public affairs and research team: [email protected]