Campaign Urges Starmer Not to Diminish Send Rights

A new national campaign is calling on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to safeguard the legal rights of children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send). The initiative, known as Save Our Children's Rights, is supported by actor Sally Phillips and a cross-party group of MPs.

The campaign raises alarms about the government's upcoming schools white paper for England. Specifically, the group claims that the prime minister is "considering taking our legal rights away" as part of a planned overhaul of Send provision. This potential shift has sparked concern among advocates and politicians who fear it could weaken protections for vulnerable children. The campaign seeks to ensure that the government maintains the current legal framework that supports Send children and their families.

The campaign Save Our Children's Rights has garnered significant backing from various political figures and a well-known advocate. The initiative is not limited to a single political party, demonstrating the widespread nature of the concern regarding Send provision in England.

Sally Phillips, the actor supporting the campaign, joins a diverse group of parliamentarians. The cross-party support includes MPs from:

• Labour
• Liberal Democrat
• Conservative

This broad coalition emphasizes that the protection of legal rights for children with special educational needs is a priority that transcends traditional political divides. By bringing together MPs from the major parties, the campaign aims to present a united front to the government, urging a reconsideration of any potential changes to the legal rights of Send children.

The focal point of the campaign's concern is the forthcoming schools white paper for England. This document is expected to outline the government's comprehensive plans for reforming the education system, including the provision of support for children with special educational needs.

The group Save Our Children's Rights has made a specific claim regarding the contents of this policy paper. They assert that Keir Starmer is "considering taking our legal rights away" as part of the proposed overhaul. The term Send (special educational needs and disabilities) refers to the specific legal framework currently in place to ensure children receive the necessary support. The campaign's statement suggests that the government is looking to fundamentally alter or reduce these legal protections. The impending release of the white paper places these concerns at the forefront of the political debate surrounding education policy.

The debate centers on the future of Send provision in England. Currently, legal rights provide a framework for parents and schools to secure necessary resources and support for children with special educational needs. Any potential diminishment of these rights could have significant consequences for how these children are educated and supported.

The campaign's urgency suggests that the proposed changes could be substantial. Advocates for Send children argue that strong legal rights are essential to prevent a postcode lottery of support. The involvement of Sally Phillips and cross-party MPs highlights the potential impact on families across the country. The core of the issue remains the government's approach to balancing educational reform with the protection of vulnerable students' rights. The campaign is effectively putting the government on notice that the education sector and the public are watching the white paper closely.

The formation of the Save Our Children's Rights campaign marks a significant moment in the debate over educational reform in England. With the backing of Sally Phillips and a cross-party group of MPs, the campaign has successfully highlighted the potential risks associated with the government's proposed overhaul of Send provision.

As the government prepares to release its schools white paper, the pressure is on Keir Starmer to address these concerns directly. The campaign has made it clear that any move to diminish the legal rights of children with special educational needs will face strong opposition. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the future of Send rights and the level of support available to vulnerable children in the English education system.