How do you ensure pathways to education, health, and social care support, meet both diagnosis and needs?

By Jonathan Beebee, Neurodisability Nurse Consultant Despite what many families are told, the SEND Code of Practice 2015 says a diagnosis isn’t needed to get support. It was intended to …

Researching flexi-schooling: How beneficial is it for children with SEND?

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 …

A council’s “improvement journey”? How determined SEND parents catalogued the trail of their LA’s unlawful behaviour

With Central Bedfordshire SEND Action Group As we continue to campaign against the Government’s plans to cut SEND rights, local authorities are waiting impatiently for the day when many of …

Research: Social networks in special schools. Friendships, bullying and play

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 …

Research: SEND case officers are LAs’ “human shield” gatekeepers. But parents shouldn’t have to be their own key workers

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 …

Research finds the Government’s SEND National Conversation “performative”, lacking pathways for young people’s inclusion

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 …

EOTAS: Why the Government must listen to those with lived experience

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” …

The Unacceptable Truth: 20 SEND legal rights at risk from the Government’s SEND reforms

You may be feeling like the Department for Education has beaten you into submission this year with confusing consultation after consultation, claiming to be “listening” while analysing your responses with …

Navigating constraints: Why a former PCF chair thinks the current model is missing the mark for families

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 …

What might the SEND reform proposals mean for specialist tutors, alternative provision and EOTAS?

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 …

Allergy Guidance issued—but wider medical conditions guidance back for more work

Earlier this year, the Department for Education ran a consultation on updating statutory guidance for medical conditions in schools, which included expanded expectations about Allergy management.  However, instead of publishing …

The toxic culture of obstruction that’s taken root inside England’s council SEND services is not only unchecked, it’s encouraged

ITV News has broadcast powerful testimony from a current local authority case officer describing working inside a toxic culture of deliberate instruction, obstructing vulnerable children from accessing statutory SEND support. …

How Twinkl Parents are aiming to give SEND families a voice—and some free resources

Today, we officially welcome the brilliant educational resources site, Twinkl as a more regular contributor to SNJ! Today’s article is by Amanda Protheroe, Twinkl Family Inclusion Segment Manager There is …

EHCPs 2026: A relentless rise, but who’s surprised? Plus SNJ’s annual LA Hall of Shame

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 …