By Gosia Kwiatkowska, Director, Rix Inclusive Research Institute, University of East London For many families, one of the biggest questions after school is whether their young person will still have …
By Jon Paxman, Senior Research Associate at the Relationships Foundation (Cambridge) While the SEND reforms aim for stronger inclusion, most people still do not believe a one‑size‑fits‑all model of full‑time …
By Jacqui Brett, LLB (Law), BSc (OT), PG Cert Prof Dev (OT), PG Cert (SI), MRCOT, HCPC The Government’s new Experts at Hand programme sounds like exactly what families have …
By Dr Lucy Robinson, Cardiff University During her tenure as education secretary, Bridget Phillipson was clear that her vision for mainstream inclusion involved children being “able to go to school …
As parent carers are all too aware, their relationship with SEND case officers can range from positive and constructive to adversarial and a complete breakdown. A recent research article by …
Parents told us from the very start that the Government’s SEND “National Conversation” felt anything but conversational. We wrote about it at the time, describing how parents were left with …
Until recently, I’ll admit, I didn’t know very much about Education Otherwise Than At School (EOTAS). I knew it wasn’t a lifestyle choice, that EOTAS is not something families “pick” …
This article is a personal thought-piece by Dr Sharon Smith, based on her work for her PhD in inclusion and personal experiences. It is not an official SNJ position and …
It’s not only parents who are concerned about the SEND proposals for Education Otherwise Than At/In School (EOTAS/EOTIS). Unison, the major union that supports public service sector staff, has already …
Register for our SEND Rights & EOTAS webinar here There’s an odd feeling about this summer as a SEND parent. A feeling that’ll never end. That’s partly down to the …
with Sabiha Aziz The 2014 SEND reforms placed Parent Carer Forums (PCFs) at the heart of local decision-making, with the aim of ensuring families had a genuine voice in shaping …
with The National Portage Association Portage is one of those Early Years interventions that quietly transforms lives, yet far too many families still don’t have access to it. When I …
By Joanna Gibbs, SENsational Tutors Last week, we analysed part two of the Government’s SEND reform proposals that destroy the principle of Education Otherwise Than At School (EOTAS) in an …
By Eva Sheffield, SEND parent Winning the right educational provision should not be the beginning of another battle. Yet for some families whose children receive alternative education out of school, …
“Parents… will not be able to appeal to the Tribunal specifically about whether a child or young person should receive EOTAS arrangements.” EOTAS consultation Children with SEND, who have already …
By Tim Hunter, BSc Physiotherapy, MCSP, HCPC, Ergoadaptive Go (*sponsored) Finding and funding the right mobility equipment can be a maze for families, especially when a child needs a specialist …
with infographics by Tania Tirraoro The Department for Education (DfE) has published its annual statistical summary of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) in England for 2026. If you’re new …
By Emma McDonnell Emma McDonnell’s story is going to be familiar to many readers. “We don’t see that here,” or words to that effect, tell you they think you’re the …
by Justina Asafu-Adjaye, Education Consultant and Parent Advocate As the conversation about SEND reform continues, it’s important to keep in mind the children whose needs remain the least visible or …
It’s that time of year again: The Department for Education (DfE) has published its annual statistics on special educational needs in England. These days, the DfE does a great job …
