MPs Call for Overhaul of SEND in Mainstream Schools: Will Families Finally Be Heard?
This week, a committee of MPs has called for an overhaul of the way mainstream schools in England cater for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
For many families, this will feel long overdue. Parents know all too well that mainstream schools can be lifelines, but only when they are properly resourced, supported and held accountable. Without that, too many children are misunderstood, excluded, or left waiting for years on the margins of education.
The Reality for Families in Mainstream
Parents repeatedly share the same experiences:
Lack of training: Teachers want to help, but without specialist training in autism, ADHD, speech and language or SEMH, they are often left guessing.
Delays in support: Children can wait years for assessments while schools are pressured to cope without the right resources.
Inconsistent inclusion: Some schools go above and beyond, while others see children as “disruptive” rather than needing adjustments.
Pressure on families: Parents become the ones pushing for support, filling in the gaps, and fighting to stop their child being written off.
It’s no surprise so many parents say mainstream education simply isn’t working for their child right now.
Why Change is Needed
Mainstream schools are where most children with SEND are educated. For inclusion to work:
Staff need high-quality training to spot needs early and provide timely adjustments.
Funding must follow the child, ensuring schools have the resources to provide specialist help.
Accountability must be real — inclusion can’t just be a word on paper; it has to be visible in the classroom.
Families must be partners, not adversaries. Parents know their children best and their voices need to shape provision.
What Parents Are Saying
Responses to the ITV post show how deeply this resonates. Parents want:
Proper SEND training for all school staff
Smaller class sizes or specialist bases within mainstream schools
Consistency, so inclusion doesn’t depend on the postcode or the headteacher’s attitude
As one parent put it: “Inclusion means no child is written off as naughty while stuck on a waiting list.”
Our View at edvocat
We welcome MPs recognising that the current system isn’t working, but families have heard promises before. Real reform means investing in schools, protecting EHCP rights, and giving staff the tools to support children properly.
Inclusion isn’t about squeezing children into a one-size-fits-all model. It’s about creating classrooms that adapt, listen and respect every child’s right to education.
Until then, families will keep pushing, and we will keep standing with them.
