Kate Osborne MP: Public consultation vital ahead of proposals for SEND children support

It remains one of the most common concerns raised with me by parents, carers, teachers and young people themselves – and not just with me – 70% of Members of Parliament now say that SEND is among the top issues people contact them about.

Here in our constituency of Jarrow and Gateshead East, we have five per cent more children with SEND than the national average, and it is clear to me that the SEND system needs full reform; it is broken.

Some of the stories I have heard from constituents are heartbreaking – people waiting decades for help, and then waiting years more, even once diagnosed, for support.

Of course, behind every conversation and email is a personal story of worry, frustration and exhaustion, as well as powerful accounts of the daily impact the failing SEND system is having on people’s lives.

It is very clear what we need: investment, early intervention support, joined-up services, and proper accountability for where and how money is spent.

We need an education system that sees the value of every single child, no matter where they come from and no matter how much money their families have.

For too long, parents have had to navigate a complex system just to secure help that should have been readily available.

The need for change could not be clearer. Over the past decade, the SEND system has been pushed to breaking point. Families have faced long waiting times, confusing processes and, in many cases, the distressing experience of having to take their case to tribunal. Many parents have told me about the emotional and financial toll this has taken, and about children missing out on vital support during crucial stages of their development.

This is not because families are asking for too much. It is because the system has been underfunded, fragmented and allowed to fall behind rising demand. Years of cuts to early intervention services – including the loss of Sure Start centres – have only added to the pressure.

We are now seeing the consequences of this, particularly in children’s mental health. Mental health cannot be separated from the wider challenges families face. Rising living costs, insecure housing and reduced access to public services all have a direct impact on young people’s wellbeing.

Addressing these challenges requires a joined-up approach. That means local councils, the NHS and national government working together to deliver the support families need. It also means investing in early intervention so problems are identified and addressed before they reach crisis point.

Locally, I have been pressing for more resources and faster action. I am pleased to have secured £2.6 million in additional funding for SEND services in South Tyneside, but it is essential that this funding is used now to support families who cannot afford to wait.

The Government has set out plans to reform SEND support, with a consultation open until 18th May. These proposals outline a system of support from universal to specialist – recognising that some children need round-the-clock safeguarding and are not able to be in a mainstream school. These reforms could have a significant impact on families, young people and education staff across our community.

There are concerns about the potential for pushing children into mainstream education, as well as concerns around legal protections and EHCP changes. I will be monitoring this closely, and I am already working with some constituents who are worried that provision will be removed and that we risk pushing some of our most vulnerable children, with the most complex needs, into a one-size-fits-all SEND provision.

The proposals include new Individual Support Plans. These will be a legal entitlement for every child with SEND, ensuring that support is clearly set out, personalised and delivered as standard – without families having to fight for it.

Each plan will be based on a national framework but tailored by the teachers and specialists who know each child best. Alongside this, there will be significant investment in services such as speech and language therapy, as well as more specialist places within mainstream schools so children can receive support closer to home.

Before raising this issue further in Parliament, I will be holding a series of local consultation events to hear directly from people across Jarrow and Gateshead East about the Government’s proposals.

I want to hear your experiences, concerns and ideas in an open discussion to help shape how I represent our area on this important issue.