SEND Roundtable Discussion

This morning, I was joined by nearly 40 SENCos and school representatives for a SEND roundtable discussion.

I am grateful for the opportunity to hear directly from those at the forefront about the challenges schools are experiencing in supporting pupils with additional needs. Their insights were honest and heartfelt, serving as an important reminder of the complexity of the system and the pressure schools face.

What also came through clearly was the dedication, compassion, and creativity that SENCos and school staff bring to their work every day—often in challenging circumstances. Their commitment to supporting children and families deserves real recognition.

It is clear to me that so much more needs to be done to ensure staff feel supported, pupils’ needs are fully met, and there is space for collaboration across education, health and care services to create a system that works.

I will now reflect on the contributions from today’s discussion and consider how we can continue to work together to drive practical, long-term improvements to the SEND system locally.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to attend.

If you have any questions about SEND or feedback, please do not hesitate to email me at matt.bishop.mp@parliament.uk.