The SEND Consultation: The Moment That Could Shape Your SEN Child’s School Experience

Written By laura williams

Let’s be honest, a “Government consultation” is not top of anyone’s list when you’re juggling school life, Sen, family life and everything in between. It can feel:

  • Time-consuming

  • Hard to understand

  • Slightly removed from real life

All completely fair, but this consultation is part of the process that will shape how SEND support works going forward and very quietly, it asks “Before we decide, what is this actually like for you?”, so I hope this short guide is helpful to any school mum navigating life with a child with special educational needs. 

What is actually being proposed?

The detail is extensive and you absolutely do not need to become an expert overnight. Broadly, the reforms are looking at:

  • Changing how SEND support is delivered in schools

  • Introducing a more consistent, earlier model of support

  • Potentially reshaping how EHCPs are used and who is eligible

  • Rebalancing responsibility across schools, local authorities and services

That may sound like policy language, but at ground level, it comes down to how quickly support happens, how consistent it is, and how much parents have to push to make it happen.

The part that often gets missed

This consultation is not the end of the process, it sits in the middle:

  • A problem is identified

  • Proposals are developed

  • Consultation opens (this is where we are now)

  • Responses are reviewed

  • Decisions are made

  • Changes are implemented

And here is the key point: This is one of the last moments where the direction can still be influenced,. After this, things tend to become more fixed.


The practical reality

The consultation closes on: 18 May 2026 at 11:59pm, and despite how it may look, you do not need hours; a short, honest response is enough.


What actually helps (from a policy perspective)

Not legal language, not perfectly structured arguments, but:

  • Real experiences

  • Clear examples

  • Honest reflections

In other words “This is what happened for us.” “This is what would have helped.” That is what carries weight.

A quiet but important follow-up

After the consultation closes, attention shifts to Parliament and this is where MPs begin to play a more visible role. If you feel able, a short email to your MP sharing your consultation response and experience can help ensure those perspectives continue to be heard. You can ask your MP to represent your and your child’s interests as the process moves forward. This is the part many parents don’t realise is so important, but it can genuinely influence how much attention is paid.

Why we’re bringing this into The School Mum Edit

At The School Mum Edit, we talk a lot about elevating the parent experience — not just inside school, but around it, and for SEND parents, that experience can sometimes feel isolating, inconsistent or simply hard to navigate

So rather than leaving this as something to tackle alone, we’re hosting a TSME SEN Circle on the final day of the consultation, nothing formal, just a friendly, welcoming gathering of local SEND parents who might want to:

  • Understand what’s being proposed

  • Share experiences (if you want to)

  • And, if helpful, submit a response together

There will be good coffee, there will be conversation and realistically, there will be a few last-minute submissions happening in the room (Definitely including me… ADHD and all.). This isn’t about getting it perfect, it isn’t about becoming an expert, and it’s absolutely okay if you don’t have the capacity. Find out more and book your spot here.

But if you do, even briefly, this is one of the few moments where your input could help shape what comes next for your child and for those who come after them. And for children with SEND, the system around them can make all the difference.

Helpful links and further information

About the author

Carly Barnes-Short is a lawyer and justice campaigner who has worked extensively with Parliament, ministers and cross-party MPs on complex policy issues. She is Co-Chair of the Investment Fraud Committee , Special Advisory Committee and featured in the BBC documentary on the V11 footballers - Footballs Financial Shame- The Story of the V11.  She is also Co-Founder of The School Mum Edit and a mother navigating SEND firsthand.

“Firstly, I’m not a SEND expert, but through my work as a lawyer and justice campaigner, I’ve spent a lot of time working with ministers, MPs and policymakers, and I’ve seen how decisions are made and how difficult they can be to shift once they are set, and alongside that am almost certainly undiagnosed SEN myself, and I am the mother of a child with SEND, so this is something I care about both professionally and personally. I hope this is helpful to anyone in the same boat.”

About The School Mum Edit

Founded by Carly Barnes-Short and Laura Williams, The School Mum Edit™ is a curated community for school parents, blending beautifully hosted events, helpful information and a genuinely supportive network. From reformer Pilates and back-to-school brunches to SEN Circles and expert-led discussions, it’s about making school life feel more connected, informed and a little more enjoyable. Find out more about our events here.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. SEND law and individual circumstances vary. For specific advice, organisations such as IPSEA can provide guidance. The views expressed are personal and non-political.

laura williams
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