Committee publication · Correspondence · 9 December 2025
Letter from Secretary of State for Education on Solving the SEND crisis, dated 28.11.25
From: Education Committee
Inquiry: Solving the SEND Crisis
Summary
Secretary of State Bridget Phillipson responds to Education Committee Chair Helen Hayes's letter on SEND reform. Phillipson outlines the government's engagement strategy ahead of the Schools White Paper (January 2026), centred on three activity strands: a SEND Ministerial development group, regional and online engagement sessions, and ministerial roundtables. Hayes emphasises the need for swift implementation post-announcement and seeks clarity on co-creation processes, stakeholder selection, resourcing, and transparency mechanisms.
Key findings
- Government has held over 100 engagement events with SEND stakeholders in the past year and plans a national conversation via three core engagement strands before White Paper publication.
- SEND Ministerial development group, chaired by Minister Gould, will meet regularly with parent groups and stakeholders until end of January 2025 to test solutions and embed lived experience into policy.
- Regional and online engagement sessions will launch early December 2025 in partnership with Council for Disabled Children, with bookings live; all individuals and groups can express interest.
- Committee acknowledges White Paper delay to early January 2026 is justified for thorough engagement but demands swift implementation post-announcement and clear, transparent timelines.
- Committee requests detailed outline of co-creation design, stakeholder selection criteria, resourcing for equal participation, feedback incorporation mechanisms, and assurance of decision-making transparency and accountability.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Bridget Phillipson MP, Secretary of State for Education, Helen Hayes MP, Chair of Education Select Committee, Minister Gould, Council for Disabled Children, Department for Education
Notable line
“Every voice in this national conversation will help us build the system our children deserve.”
Key Quotes
“We want this to be the start of the biggest national conversation on SEND in a generation — and every voice will help shape the system our children deserve.”
“Over the past year, we have held over 100 engagement events with SEND stakeholders to learn from their experiences, share our thinking on reforms and reflect their feedback.”
“Too many children, parents and carers are waiting for sustainable change and a system that can meet their needs.”
“We would welcome further detail on how this process will operate in practice. In response to this letter, I would be grateful for an outline of the specific steps you plan to take to design and facilitate this co-creation process …”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗