Recently the National Network of Parent Carer Forums (NNPCF) Regional Directors met with Dame Christine Lenehan and Dr. Karen Guldberg, both appointed advisors to the Department for Education (DfE), currently working closely with the government on SEND reform.
During the meeting, NNPCF Directors raised several key issues on behalf of Parent Carer Forums (PCFs) across the country including:
- Parental Confidence and Anxiety: Concerns were voiced regarding recent commentary suggesting the potential removal of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) in mainstream settings, which has led to significant anxiety among families.
- Communication: Concerns were raised that the absence of official communications to families about any potential reforms and with limited information about the SEND and AP Change Programme work, has led to increased anxiety and fear about what the future holds for many families.
- Reform Perceived as Cuts: It was highlighted that many families and stakeholders perceive the current reform agenda as being driven by cost-cutting, rather than by a commitment to increased or improved support via a less adversarial system.
- Lack of Visibility in Policy Discussions: NNPCF raised concerns over the limited public involvement and visibility of the national network in key government working groups, impacting transparency and trust across the PCF network and families to look to local PCFs for support and clarity.
- Expert-Led Taskforces: We reiterated the ongoing concerns raised by our Parent Carer Forums (PCFs) regarding the lack of NNPCF representation on government-appointed expert taskforces. This issue, previously highlighted at our National Conference, has been reignited by recent commentary, further intensifying those concerns.
- Limitations on Advocacy: As solution-focused, non-campaigning organisations, Parent Carer Forums (PCFs) and the National Network of Parent Carer Forums (NNPCF) face restrictions on public advocacy. These limitations can affect parental confidence in both their local forums and the NNPCF—especially when communication from the government is lacking.
The NNPCF reaffirmed its commitment to amplifying the voices of families and expressed a clear willingness to collaborate with all stakeholders to achieve meaningful and lasting improvements in the SEND system. We underscored the need for the Department for Education and other government departments to actively engage with the NNPCF, recognising that strategic representation of parents and carers is not just symbolic— It is vital to ensure that policies are informed by lived experience and translated into tangible improvements for families.
Dame Christine Lenehan said of the meeting, “I was really pleased to meet with the NNPCF Steering Group this morning for an open, honest and constructive assessment of where we are on the beginnings of reform. It is going to be essential to work with parents every step of the way to ensure success.”
Dr Karen Guldberg supported Dame Christine Lenehan’s comments, stating, “I really valued meeting with the steering group and am committed to taking forward the concerns that were raised.”