Measure What Matters is unwavering in its commitment to examining how democratic principles are upheld in practice—with a focus on representation, transparency, and accountability. This is what we were built …
This is part 2. You can find part 1 here. Our coverage of the Schools White Paper follows later today and all week Below is a selection of the testimonies …
On the day that the Schools White Paper is published, containing draft plans to reduce children’s rights, public accountability group, Measure What Matters is publishing the results of an investigation …
Last week, the Government published a raft of interim evaluation reports into programmes started as part of the previous Government’s SEND Change Programme. They add to the interim evaluation of …
The Down Syndrome Act 2022 has been quietly making its way through the policy machine since it gained Royal Assent back in April 2022. It included a comprehensive call for …
It’s over three years since the Department for Education (DfE) announced it planned to introduce a standardised and digitised process and template for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). Under …
Former Director of the Council for Disabled Children, Dame Christine Lenahan, has intimated that the Government is indeed considering slashing disabled children’s rights.. But, she says, it’s okay, families don’t …
In the long-running series, “Why is it so hard to put disabled children first?” comes the Department for Education’s response to the findings of the recent Public Accounts Committee report …
With Lisa McDonald, Head of SEND Education, Participation and Skills, SEND, Plymouth City Council Late last year, we ran a two-part article on “Ordinarily Available Provision” (OAP) from SEND expert, …
Last week, the House of Commons Education Select Committee announced the start of a new inquiry into the state of SEND in England. You can find SNJ’s summary of the …
Yesterday, England’s HM Courts and Tribunals Service issued their annual set of statistics about the activities of the Special Educational Needs and Disability First-Tier Tribunal (SENDIST). SENDIST is a legal …
Back in July, we covered the ISOS Partnership report, funded by two councils’ bodies, that made a highly dubious case for sweeping reform to the SEND system in favour of …
by Philippa Stobbs OBE Philippa Stobbs OBE is the recently retired Assistant Director for the Council for Disabled Children (CDC). Philippa’s work included being instrumental in the development of the …
by Philippa Stobbs OBE Philippa Stobbs OBE is the recently retired Assistant Director for the Council for Disabled Children (CDC). At SNJ, we have deep admiration and respect for Philippa, …
Call me weird, but I was quite looking forward to this hearing of the Commons Public Accounts Committee this week. The National Audit Office report was so damning, I was …
There’s a lot of talk of reform in the air for the English SEND system. There aren’t many specifics, but the general message from the new government and its advisers …
Please welcome Sarah Johnson as a new SNJ columnist. Sarah has worked in senior leadership roles in Pupil Referral Units, Alternative Provision and psychiatric inpatient services. Sarah has enjoyed roles …
with Maria Carney, Whole School SEND Universal SEND Services offers government-funded special educational needs training for schools. Today, Maria Carney gives us an update and how your school can get …
Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson yesterday announced in a speech that “Now is the time for bold reform,” for SEND. More reform, while the current “reforms” are not yet implemented. Yes, …
It’s an old saying about bureaucracies: bad news doesn’t make it to the top until it’s too late. That applies doubly to SEND, particularly when that bad news comes from …
![Children died. The system looked away. Today, the Government is calling the human cost of cutting rights, “reform” [Part 1]](https://www.specialneedsjungle.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/mwm-suicide-1-1-775x200.jpg)
