On Wednesday, 5th February 2025, the NNPCF met with Minister Catherine McKinnell, Head for School Standards, which now encompasses Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Historically, SEND did not sit within schools and was managed separately. However, since Minister McKinnell’s appointment, SEND has become fully integrated into School Standards within the Department for Education (DfE).
For full details on Minister McKinnell’s responsibilities, please refer to the following link: Catherine McKinnell MP – GOV.UK
The Minister was keen to hear about the joint NNPCF and Contact National Conference held the previous day. The Minister also expressed her disappointment at not being able to attend in person, as she was required to be in Parliament for the Wellbeing Bill.
We discussed the important role that Parent Carer Forums (PCFs) play at the local level on SEND Strategic Boards, their interactions at the regional level, and the significance of events like the joint National Conference has in enabling national engagement with key stakeholders such as the DfE, NSHE and Ofsted/CQC. While the NNPCF engage with stakeholders at a national level, these events provide partners with valuable insights by enabling them to hear directly from PCFs across England about the local ‘lived experiences’.
We emphasized the importance of collaborating with families and PCFs, with any upcoming changes to ensure genuine coproduction. The NNPCF believes that this approach aims to build trust and confidence while improving outcomes for children and young people through inclusive educational practices. It was discussed that many low-cost early intervention strategies, are beneficial for all students, not just children and young people with SEND. Additionally, active engagement with families is necessary for schools to foster positive relationships. Collaboration at all levels, from individual interactions to national policymaking, was highlighted as essential, which is why programmes like PINS (Partnerships for Inclusion for Neurodiversity in Schools) are so important.
A critical topic of discussion was the varying degrees of engagement between local PCFs, health services and local authorities. While some local authorities actively support their PCFs, including financial contributions, others remain hesitant and prefer to operate independently. This inconsistency underscores the need for consistent support and funding from local authorities and health, along with improved alignment and cooperation across regions.
We discussed the need for both universal and targeted support emphasizing the importance of a well-coordinated, multi-agency approach is vital to ensure that children receive the assistance they need. However, challenges arise when health, education, and social care services fail to collaborate effectively. A key concern was the reduction of Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs) and the subsequent fear among parents and carers that reduced statutory rights could lead to inadequate support for their children.
The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly impacted on joint working and problem-solving within both Parents and Carers as well as PCFs. During the crisis, local authorities were compelled to find creative solutions to support families, leading to stronger partnerships boards in many areas. This experience has demonstrated the value of collaboration and highlighted the importance of maintaining this momentum in future policymaking.
The importance of strong data collection and analysis are fundamental for effective planning and support. Unfortunately, many local authorities and health partners lack robust data systems, which impacts their ability to make informed decisions on both the current and future need for provisions for children and young people.
As the landscape of children and young people with SEND evolves, collaboration, transparency, and strategic planning will remain essential in reforms that aim to build a support system that truly meets the needs of children and their families.