Children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) are highly intelligent and possess numerous capabilities, whether they are verbal or non-verbal. These individuals often find themselves forgotten or underestimated, unable to reach their full potential and thrive in their lives. I have personally witnessed how much these children can achieve when they receive the right support and resources. Richard Tice's insensitive comments are not only ignorant, they are an insult to parents and carers who are tirelessly fighting a system that continues to fail their children.

Richard Tice recently made remarks describing the sight of children in classes wearing ear defenders as "insane" and insisted that it "has got to stop." These statements suggest a troubling misunderstanding of the realities faced by children with SEND and their families. Far from being a problem caused by parents and carers, the use of ear defenders and other support tools are often essential to the well-being of children facing sensory processing challenges.

Furthermore, Richard Tice suggested that we should "go back to trusting teachers to scale the whole thing back." This comment disregards the complexity of SEND, requiring a nuanced understanding and specialized support, which many educators are still striving to develop. Richard Tice lacks the professional expertise in the field of SEND to make such sweeping recommendations.

Children with SEND often engage in "masking" behaviors to cope with the daily demands and social norms within educational settings. This invisible labor is both exhausting and detrimental to their overall well-being. Parents and carers advocate for their children's needs, often against a backdrop of systemic neglect and misunderstanding.

We call upon Richard Tice to publicly apologize for his remarks and acknowledge the resilience and challenges faced by children with SEND. His comments downplay the importance of individualized support and resources that children require to succeed. These children and their families deserve understanding, support, and an apology for the damage such statements can cause.

Please sign this petition to demand an apology from Richard Tice and support children with SEND and their families in their ongoing fight for the care and respect they deserve.