I have always held the firm belief that every child, regardless of their needs, should be provided with the appropriate support that allows them to not only succeed, but thrive.
For children with SEND, schools have previously been and continue to be absolutely crucial to providing this support. The years spent within primary and secondary education are some of the most important for any child’s personal development.
However, the truth cannot be avoided that, in the state it currently exists, our SEND system is fundamentally broken.
I know from previous engagement with both SEND pupils and their families, along with schools and organisations within the sector, there is a clear consensus that this is not presently a system fit for purpose.
The support needed by SEND children is obvious but cannot be provided. Repeatedly, I have heard the understandable anger and concern felt towards the extensive assessment waiting list for an Education Health and Care plan (EHCP). Among the many national issues left behind by the Conservatives, this is one of the most heartbreaking.
Recognising the scale and significance of this injustice, in my capacity as MP for Portsmouth South I have remained dedicated to ensuring that necessary change can be delivered within this sector.
Portsmouth people will know that I have committed myself to regularly hosting community roundtables for a variety of attendees and visiting SEND schools along with schools providing SEND support to hear important experiences, perspectives and suggestions on this matter to feedback to Westminster. Additionally, as part of this effort, I launched an ongoing SEND survey last year.
Beyond this, I have been a vocal advocate for SEND support and celebrated the invaluable everyday work for teachers, carers and support staff, and have given my backing the many significant measures already implemented by this Government since coming into office in 2024, including creating thousands of specialist places for SEND pupils and providing nation-wide SEND teacher training as part of a £200 million programme.
I am proud to be part of a Government which shares a commitment providing the right support to all children and welcome Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson’s recent announcement of plans to reform and transform the broken SEND system.
This Government’s new SEND Reform White Paper is designed to ensure that support comes earlier, is easier to access, and works around children and families rather than forcing them to fight for help.
Accompanying this, the DfE has launched a consultation on an ambitious and bold vision which will see more kids getting EHCP style support without the legal fight they face today.
By investing in better-trained teachers to deliver better access to specialist expertise in mainstream settings, Labour wants the system to move away from a one-size-fits-all approach and towards education that understands and includes every child.
Under our plans, children with SEND will get the right support when they need it, closer to home, without parents having to battle to get the better education – and results – their kids deserve. Labour’s plans are about improving support, not removing support.
Every child who needs extra support will have a personal plan, that sets out the extra help they’ll get to succeed, matched against high national standards. Every classroom will have a teacher trained to meet the needs of children with SEND, based on the latest evidence.
New dedicated school funding will be there to deliver proven SEND programmes such as small-group teaching or speech and language therapies. Every secondary school will have an inclusion base where teachers can deliver additional support.
And in every corner of the country, families will be able to send their child to school with confidence, with a new ‘Experts at Hand’ package to provide more professional support like speech and language therapists for those with speech, language and communication needs.
Whether it’s children with the most complex needs or those who just need a little extra support, we will keep what works and improve what doesn’t, building a new system and investing in new provision so that all children can achieve and thrive.
Delivering a better future for the next generation is why I came into politics, and I am so proud of the change our Labour government is bringing.
Stephen Morgan MP
