Ahead of the publication of the Schools White Paper early next year, the Department for Education says that it is committed to testing the proposals to reform the SEND system with the people who matter most – young people and families – alongside teachers and other experts.

The Department for Education, alongside expert advisors Dame Christine Lenehan and Tom Rees, and in partnership with the Council for Disabled Children, will be hosting a series of SEND Engagement events across the country, to listen to and understand the full range of views and experiences from a wide range of perspectives. This creates an opportunity to discuss and understand views on the core principles for SEND reform and ensure that the reforms are grounded in lived experience.

Each event is for parents, carers, school staff and SEND professionals, and other key interested stakeholders to come together. The DfE strongly welcomes and encourages participation from across the SEND community and all those with an interest in these issues.

This event is for the North West engagement session, which will be held in Manchester.

Following this period of engagement, there will also be an opportunity to share your views and experiences in a public consultation following the publication of the Schools White Paper.

Contact ncbsocialcare@ncb.org.uk if you have any questions.