Having spent over a decade working with the most vulnerable children in society, I've seen first-hand the overwhelming challenges that children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) conditions face. These children do not start on a level playing field; the current assessment system in the UK further perpetuates their marginalisation, stacking the odds against them at every turn. This leads to many being excluded from school, becoming Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET), and far too often, ending up in the criminal justice system.

The UK education system is meant to be inclusive and supportive, yet the existing assessment structures largely fail to accommodate the diverse requirements of SEND and SEMH children. According to the Department for Education's statistics, around 15% of children in schools were identified as having SEND. Yet, these children are disproportionately represented in exclusion statistics, and tragically, evidence shows that 70% to 90% of children in the youth justice system have some form of SEND. This is not a coincidence; it is a catastrophic policy failure.

Furthermore, a report from the Children's Society highlights that as many as three-quarters of young people with mental health needs are not receiving the help they need. When educational assessments are not designed with these realities in mind, it becomes almost impossible for these children to showcase their abilities or progress.

We urgently need a comprehensive reform of the current assessment system. We demand the UK Government implement the following three actions immediately:

1. Fund Trauma-Informed Assessment: Introduce personalized learning plans and alternative assessment methods that are not purely exam-based, truly valuing vocational and practical skills.

2. End Punitive Exclusions: Increase training and resources for teachers to understand and cater to complex SEMH and trauma needs, reversing the use of exclusion as a primary behaviour management tool.

3. Prioritize Prevention: Shift policy focus and funding away from chasing short-term metrics and toward sustained social investment that nurtures inclusion and prevents the school-to-prison pipeline.

This is not just an education issue, but a moral obligation.

I implore the UK government to recognize that education policy is crime prevention. By signing this petition, you stand with me in demanding a fairer, more inclusive educational framework that allows every child, regardless of their individual needs, to succeed and thrive. Please sign this petition to urge the UK government to act now.