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REMINDER: The Department for Education SEND Reform Consultation closes on Monday 18 May. This is an important opportunity to make your voice heard and help shape future SEND services. Please take part here: DfE SEND Reform Consultation https://consult.education.gov.uk/send-reform/

SEND Reforms – Your Voice Is Crucial The government is proposing major changes to the SEND system that could significantly affect how children and young people receive support in the future. While these reforms are presented as improvements, there are growing concerns from families and professionals about what they may mean in practice. In particular, there is concern about a potential reduction in EHCPs and a shift towards new Individual Support Plans, which may not carry th

EOTAS Family Meeting – A Positive Step Forward This week, we were pleased to host a long-awaited meeting for EOTAS families, joined by Michelle White and Bridget Morris from the local authority. The meeting provided a valuable opportunity for parents and carers to share their experiences and offer suggestions on how this provision can be improved. We are delighted to report that the discussion was extremely positive, with a shared commitment to moving forward collaboratively.

News from Leicestershire County Council We are currently working with the Leicestershire SEND Hub to ensure that any website development focussing on the SEND Local Offer reflects the voices and views of regular users. We plan to carry out some deep dives on each focus area of the Local Offer over the coming weeks with a view to ensuring that parent/carers can access information more easily. Jenny Thompson and Claire Hamilton (Education Services Communication and Engagement O

Last Wednesday (3rd February), two members of our Admin Team attended the Local Offer Live event with our SEND Hub stand. It was another valuable opportunity to gather parental voice and hear directly about families’ lived experiences within the world of SEND. A wide range of topics were raised throughout the event, including: Children struggling to access education in mainstream settings and the process for requesting specialist provision How to apply for an Education, Healt

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This week brought an important gathering for families and professionals involved in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The National Network of Parent Carer Forums (NNPCF) held its National Conference, offering a valuable chance to connect with Parent Carer Forums from the East Midlands and beyond. The event focused on sharing updates about SEND reforms and hearing directly from Minister Gould, who addressed the ongoing challenges and progress in this area. Our

Concerns from parent/carers about the proposed changes to specialist nurseries have been shared with the Local Authority. Many families have expressed their views, and we continue to support those who want to make their voices heard. While a petition is currently circulating, it is crucial that parent/carers also complete the official consultation. The Local Authority will rely on consultation responses to make their final decision. Why Your Voice Matters Signing the petition

Thank you to all parents and carers who joined our recent online Q&A sessions with Leicestershire Local Authority. Your participation made these events meaningful and productive. We appreciate the time you took to attend, submit questions, and share your experiences openly. This blog post reflects on the value of your engagement and what comes next as we continue to support children and young people with SEND across Leicestershire. The Importance of Your Participation Engagem

Families using Education Otherwise Than at School (EOTAS) have raised important concerns about their experiences. These concerns were shared at the SEND and Inclusion Board, directly reflecting the voices of parent-carers. In response, Michelle White has provided a clear update on what families can expect moving forward. This post breaks down the key changes and improvements planned for 2026, helping families understand what support will be available and how processes will ch

Leicestershire Send Hub - December Newsletter We’ve come to the end of yet another really busy year for the Leicestershire SEND Hub Parent/Carer Forum. Go to this Sway

This week, the focus has been on improving the quality assurance of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) at County Hall. A key area of attention was ensuring the child’s voice in Section A is clearly reflected throughout the EHCP and that their aspirations are captured in a meaningful way. This work highlights the importance of truly understanding what children want to express. Understanding the Child’s Voice in EHCPs Capturing a child’s voice is not always straightforwar