Voices of children and young people in the SEND reforms

On Monday 23rd February the Department for Education published its schools white paper Every Child Achieving and Thriving which shares their plan to reform special educational needs and disability (SEND) support in early years, schools and colleges. 

Alongside the white paper, is a national consultation on SEND Reform called putting children and young people first, running until 18th May 2026. The Council for Disabled Children’s Participation team is working throughout this consultation period to support disabled children and young people, and those with special educational needs, to share their thoughts, experiences, and ideas, and help shape the SEND reforms. 

They are working with children and young people up to the age of 25 and would value your support in facilitating this. They want to prioritise the more seldom heard voices and would like to hear from a diverse range of children and young people, including those who have higher support needs and different ways of communicating. 

If your group or class would like to join their children and young people’s consultation, focus group sessions will be starting across England in the first week of March and will run until April 30th 2026. They have limited spaces and expect them to fill up very quickly. 

White Paper: Every Child Achieving and Thriving 

SEND Reform: Putting children and young people first