SEND parents say they could be locked out of discussions that affect their children’s schooling and access to other local services.
Some claim to have been told they cannot publicly campaign on issues related to special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or post on their own personal social media channels if they want to lead parent carer forums (PCFs) that work with local authority officials to influence services for children in the area.
They fear they will be penalised if they publicly criticise the Government’s sweeping reforms, with one campaign group arguing that they are being “silenced”.
The Government is implementing major changes to the SEND system in England to tackle escalating costs that have put intense pressure on cash-strapped councils. Ministers are wiping £5bn in SEND deficits following warnings that eight in 10 English councils faced bankruptcy.
Parents can join PCFs in local authorities that enable them to work with officials to shape SEND services for children and young people. But Contact, the charity that administers Government funding for these groups, has issued updated guidance that bars forum leaders from some campaigning activity in their personal lives.
