By Isle of Wight Observer
Families along with grandparents, professionals, and friends joined together at St Thomas’ Square, Newport, on Saturday, to call for the SEND plans, which make up part of the Schools White Paper, to be withdrawn.
As part of the Save Our Children’s Rights national campaign, protests were held in 12 towns and cities across England having one clear message for government: “Do not remove or weaken children’s SEND legal rights.”
Isle of Wight SEN Stand UP (IWSSU) emphasised that this movement is not about resisting change. It is about ensuring any changes strengthen, not weaken, the legal protections that underpin support for children and young people with SEND.
Whilst parent carers are encouraged to complete the DfE consultation on-line, to have their opinions heard, a Judicial Review legal challenge against the ongoing SEND consultation has now been launched. It argues the consultation is unlawful and unfair, failing to provide sufficient information or ask key questions.
An Island SEN Stand UP spokesman said: “It is already so hard to secure the right support for children with special educational needs and disabilities. If we lose the legal protections and safeguards, it will become even harder. If we don’t speak up now, these rights could be lost.”
