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SEND Crisis-Disappointment Mounts

Disappointment Mounts: Shaun Davies’ Response to SEND Crisis Misses the Mark

It’s hard not to feel a wave of disappointment when someone in a position of influence acknowledges that the system is broken — and then, quite frankly, fails to address the real issues that matter most. 

Shaun Davies Labour MP for Telford

That’s exactly what’s happening with Telford Labour MP Shaun Davies’ recent reply to me about the ongoing SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) reforms.

Let’s be clear: the concerns are not small. They’re urgent. The alarming statistics about increasing exclusions, especially among children with SEND support and EHCPs (Education, Health and Care Plans), paint a stark picture of a system in crisis. Yet, Shaun Davies’ response, while polite and seemingly supportive on the surface, skirts around the core issues that families and advocates are desperate for answers to.

The Good, The Acknowledgment, and The Surface-Level Reassurances

First, it’s worth noting that Shaun Davies began by thanking me politely for sharing my  experiences as a parent of children with disabilities, and admits that the current SEND system is “inadequate.” 

That’s a step in the right direction, isn’t it? Recognisng that something is wrong is crucial. He talks about the importance of early identification and support, emphasising that children shouldn’t have to wait for an EHCP to get help. 

Again, this sounds promising — but it’s a very general statement that doesn’t tackle the elephant in the room.

Shaun Davies then goes on to mention government commitments to reform, including a hefty £740 million fund to create more inclusive spaces in mainstream schools and a £2.3 billion boost in school funding — with £1 billion specifically for children with SEND. 

These are positive steps on paper, but they are also long-term plans that lack specific guarantees or concrete actions to address the immediate, systemic failures families are experiencing daily.

The Missing Piece: What About EHCPs?

Here’s where Shaun Davies response falls flat — and where the disappointment really sinks in. My letter was clear about the importance of EHCPs as legal safeguards. These plans are much more than paperwork; they’re legal rights that ensure children receive the support they need. Yet, Shaun Davies’ reply is oddly vague about the future of EHCPs. 

He stated there are “no plans to abolish them,” but he doesn’t clarify how reforms will protect these crucial legal safeguards, especially amid talk of streamlining or replacing existing frameworks.

Families are rightly worried. Will EHCPs remain intact? Will they be replaced by a system that’s less legalistic and more bureaucratic? His failure to directly address these questions leaves a huge gap — a gap filled with uncertainty and growing frustration.

The Reality of Funding vs. Legal Rights

So let’s talk about funding. Yes, more money is always welcome, and increased budgets can improve resources. But money alone cannot replace the legal rights and protections that EHCPs provide. My arguement, financial support isn’t enough; families need certainty that their children’s legal entitlements won’t be eroded or removed altogether.

Estimated growth in school costs and funding over time, alongside GDP deflator 

Shaun Davies’ response, focusing on funding increases, doesn’t grapple with this fundamental issue. It’s a classic case of good headlines but little concrete reassurance for families who fear losing their children’s rights.

The Disappointment is Clear

So, what’s the bottom line? Despite acknowledging that the system is broken — a truth many of us have known for years — Shaun Davies’ response does little to address the core concerns. It’s a polite nod, a reassurance that reforms are happening, but it lacks the specificity and courage needed to genuinely reassure families that their children’s rights and support structures will be protected.

demonstration in Parliament Square by parents, carers, children and young people with disabilities

Source: Alamy 

This isn’t just funding or reform plans; it’s about protecting the legal safeguards that ensure children with SEND get the support they are entitled to. Until those questions are answered head-on, the disappointment will only grow. Families deserve more than vague promises that Labour are offering — they deserve clear, concrete commitments that their children’s futures are protected.

Acknowledging the system is broken was the easy part. Addressing why it’s broken, how reforms will protect vulnerable children, and what guarantees will be put in place — that’s the real work. And sadly, Shaun Davies’ response falls short of that.

The Fight Continues

Families like ours cannot afford promises and vague reassurances. Our children’s futures depend on real, tangible protections — on their legal rights to support and inclusion. As we prepare for the next parliamentary session, I vow to keep fighting, raising our voices louder, demanding that their needs come first.

We won’t stop until every child with SEND is truly supported, protected, and valued. Their future — and ours — is worth fighting for.


Mark Webster 

Disability Officer 

The Green Party 

Telford and Wrekin 

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