Councils Need Accountability

Councils Need Accountability - 

Parents are not the enemies of council budgets; they are champions for their children's futures, forced into battle by a system that should be supporting them.

The plight of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their families has long been a somber shadow cast over our education system. The current state of affairs for these children, a supposed priority for any society that values fairness and opportunity, is one of crisis. Despite the presence of some exemplary practices, the system designed to support them is failing many, resulting in squandered educational opportunities and exhausting struggles for families to obtain the support they so desperately need.

The consensus is clear: reform is imperative. However, the nature of this reform is the subject of considerable debate. It isn't necessarily the law that needs an overhaul—our legislation enshrines the rights and entitlements of children and young people with SEND. What requires transformation is the culture and attitudes within the system—a system that has, too often, left local authorities unchecked as they repeat unlawful decisions without consequence.

In 2022, the SEND green paper recognised the need for a significant overhaul, and the current SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan is pushing for legal framework changes. However, the Government's SEND Review has been led astray from the outset by the misconception that there is an over-provision of services, rather than addressing the true issue of unlawful decision-making by local authorities.

This mischaracterisation extends to the perception of parents, who face unjust criticism for simply advocating for their children's rights. Parents are not the enemies of council budgets; they are champions for their children's futures, forced into battle by a system that should be supporting them. This toxic attitude toward parents seeking to secure their children's rights must change.

As the drumbeat of reform grows louder, skepticism over politicians' promises also grows. There is a real fear that a "reformed" system might erode the current rights and entitlements, which would be a tragic step backwards. The focus must shift to increasing accountability within the current system, not dismantling it.

With an election on the horizon, the Labour Party's intentions for the SEND system remain shrouded in uncertainty. Will they continue down the current government's path, or will they have the courage to foster a system that prioritizes lawful decision-making and accountability?

The incoming government, be it Labour or any other, faces a significant challenge: they must resist the siren call to overhaul the system and instead protect existing rights, enhance accountability, and ensure correct decision-making from the start. Will they commit to these ideals? Will they honour the existing rights of children and young people to support that meets their needs, making sure these rights are delivered in practice?

Politicians across the spectrum must relinquish the rhetoric of 'demand' when it comes to the support these young individuals require to reach their full potential. It's time they recognise that parents aren't trying to bankrupt councils, but are advocating for what any parent would want: the best for their child, without having to engage in a relentless fight.

The call for justice within the SEND system is loud and clear. It comes from the heart of protests, analyses, and discussions from parents, experts, and politicians alike. It's a call that demands attention, understanding, and most importantly—action.

As we stand at this juncture, the questions that loom large are as fundamental as they are profound:

Will a Labour government—or indeed any government—commit to protecting the rights of our children and young people with SEND?

Will it ensure these rights are not merely words on paper but are realised in classrooms, therapy sessions, and support plans across the country?

The time for platitudes has passed. Our children cannot wait any longer. It is time for firm commitments and decisive action. It is time for the SEND system to reflect the values of a society that believes in empowering all its members, regardless of the challenges they face. It is time, at last, for justice.