Our response to the SEND National Crisis March

On Thursday 30 May, thousands of parents, disabled children, young people and professionals marched in more than 25 locations across the country. They called for an end to the funding crisis facing special educational needs and disabilities provision.

Among them were over a hundred families of deaf children, who have experienced repeated cuts to their support and specialist teachers.

Beccy Forrow, Senior Campaigns Advisor at the National Deaf Children’s Society, said:

“Make no mistake, the special educational needs system is in complete crisis. It’s heartbreaking that thousands of families have to march in the streets, but they refuse to stand by and watch as their children’s futures are sacrificed.

“The time for tired soundbites and kicking the can down the road is over. The Treasury and the Department for Education must urgently look at the mountains of evidence and consider the many simple, cost-effective solutions that could begin to avert this crisis.

“Everyone deserves the same start in life, but without immediate investment in this struggling system, children with special educational needs will continue to be left behind.”