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Special Educational Needs: Reform

Asked by Vikki SladeLiberal DemocratDepartment for EducationTabled Answered 18 May 2026UIN 720

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will have discussions with Diabetes UK on (a) the ongoing consultation on SEND reform and (b) reforms to the SEND support system more broadly.

Answered by Georgia Gould

During the 12‑week special educational needs and disabilities consultation period, the department delivered an engagement programme that ensured we listened to children and young people, families, educators and the sector.

A national public engagement programme, delivered in partnership with the Council for Disabled Children, ensured that families, practitioners and young people can engage meaningfully with the proposals. This included:

  • Nine regional events.
  • 24 children and young people–led sessions.
  • Six information webinars for health, education, local authority leaders, social care and parent carers.

Additional departmental forums, including regional improvement for standards and excellence conferences, provided further channels to raise awareness and gather sector feedback. We delivered a national, multi‑channel engagement programme with more than 100 engagement events across a broad spectrum of sectors.

We want engagement to continue. Ministers are holding ongoing stakeholder meetings and I would be happy to meet Diabetes UK should they write to my office.

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