Raising SEND delays in Parliament

SEND has been a major focus since the election.

I was able to raise young people and families’ poor experiences in Parliament this week - specifically, the problem of delays between schools, NHS bodies, councils, and social work, which are in turn delaying decisions.

The Minister agreed to hear from south Birmingham families directly. You can watch the exchange and read the transcript below.

Laurence Turner (Birmingham Northfield):

At the recent SEND surgery that I organised with SEND Socials Birmingham, one message came through time and again: different public bodies are not working together as the Children and Families Act 2014 intended, and this is contributing to long delays and distress. Will the Minister agree to receive representations from young people and families in south Birmingham, so that their negative experiences can at least contribute to the important work of reforming the SEND system?

Catherine McKinnell (SEND Minister):

Absolutely. We are committed to working with families to deliver an improved SEND system that works for all. We ensure that families have access to free and impartial information, advice and support to enable them to participate as fully as possible in the decisions that affect them, but I would welcome suggestions from my hon. Friend and parents in south Birmingham on how to improve the system.