08/05/2026
Through my work supporting families, and our own experiences I am still hearing communication issues, no response etc.
I will say I’ve had better communication and met with one of the senior managers regarding lack of legal procedures being followed, but most of that is because I currently have the energy to battle this. Many Familes don’t.
The biggest issue is still lack of transparency, accountability, communication and co-production.
Transparency- new communication and relationships standards but no actual transparency in sharing what these standards are so families know what to expect.
Why do DCC not feel able to share information like this.
Accountability- Familes constantly chasing and being told different things be different people. No accountability or consistency.
Communication- although the new ILC (inclusive learning community), there’s been zero updates since Claire Merchant shared a video about them. It’s still very vague. Not clear which ones, and take into account that not every family is able to use or access the hub. They’ve been left in the dark not knowing who they should communicate with.
I do know the ILC is based on setting location not home address.
However there’s no list anywhere that a family or professionals can use to search who they need to contact.
For those with EOTiS/C a lot of us have had EHCP Partners change with no update on who. Several have had changes to new people after they’ve built up a relationship with previous caseworker who has a better understanding of their child and now have to start again. This is especially important with gaining a child/young persons views. Constant changes impact the trust.
Co-production! There still isn’t any. I attended two workshops about changing the EHCP banding system with promises of more involvement once they’d been sorted out etc.
Nope none!!
Next thing we hear, there’s a new EHCP banding framework.
Co-production is NOT part involvement. It’s complete involvement (real involvement) from the start to the end and release of it. This includes fully inclusive accessible reports.
Reports are still only being published in basic format. No large print, not screen reader accessible, not neurodivergent friendly. This in itself create barriers and suspicion because not everyone can read it.
Not all families know how to convert or adjust and many don’t have the energy/tech to do so. It doesn’t matter if it’s a “draft”, or early release, it should still be fully accessible from the very moment it’s released.
✨ Question of the Week ✨
SEND Consultation -Question 1
How can the government make sure families’ real experiences are used alongside research when decisions about SEND are made, locally and nationally?
Q1. We want children, young people and their families to be involved in making better, evidence‑based decisions about SEND, both in their local area and across the country.
How can we make sure children, young people and their families have a genuine say in these decisions?
Your voice matters 💬
This could include thinking about practical things like:
*Regular local listening events
*Support to help children and young people to contribute
*Support to help families engage as equal partners
*Parent representation in decision‑making bodies
*Clear feedback loops (“you said, we did”)
*Lived experience from families being treated as real evidence
*Transparency how decisions are made and accountability in how families views are used
answer either a) or b) below -- or both if you want!
a) Has your family experienced any of the above in action either locally or nationally?
Pick one example - was it effective – what went well? How could it be improved and what needs to go?
b) What are the barriers to being involved? for example
Lack of clear information
Not knowing how to get involved
Meetings during working hours
Lack of childcare or transport
Short notice or inaccessible location
Feedback not acted on
Under-representation of minority ethnic families
You feel families like yours are under-represented
You do not need to know policy jargon or quote research. What matters most is your lived experience.
💬 Short comments are absolutely fine.
📌 Please avoid naming individual professionals or settings.
🧡 Your lived experience help guide the Forum’s response.
