As a parent who has gone through the trials of the SEND education system, I understand too well the struggles many face. My son, diagnosed with ASD, faced insurmountable roadblocks in his educational journey. This story is not unique to us; thousands of students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) face these challenges in our education system everyday.

Our journey started with difficulty in locating the right resources and getting the assistance he crucially needed. We were promised help in mainstream senior school but that help was inconsistent and unsatisfactory. As a result, we had no choice but to homeschool our child as we eagerly awaited his Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

Now, my son finds his place in a specialist school, succeeding and thriving. However, numerous students with SEND continue to fall through the cracks of our system. They deserve an education system tailored to their needs, where they are not left behind or overlooked, but regarded with understanding and empathy.

The National Education Union (NEU) reports that 83% of schoolteachers believe they cannot adequately support pupils with SEND because of lack of funding and resources. Furthermore, a staggering 81% of school leaders claimed that there's been a significant impact on the quality of SEND provisions due to budget cuts (National SEND Crisis Report, 2020).

Startling statistics such as these shed light on the growing issues facing SEND education. We need a fundamental reconfiguration of how our education system supports students with SEND. We demand increased funding and resources, improved staff training, and a continual review process to ensure implementation of effective support strategies.

For the sake of our children, their futures, and our collective future, we must make this change now. Inaction will not only affect those with SEND, but also undermine our societal commitment to equality of opportunity.

Please stand with us. Support our call for a better, inclusive education system that upholds the rights of all students. Sign this petition.