Nationwide SEND Parents Protest Lack of Support Across England, Scotland

Across multiple regions in England, parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) staged protests highlighting systemic failures in the education system, where many children have missed months or even years of school due to inadequate specialist provision and support. The "Every Pair Tells a Story" campaign featured poignant displays of children's shoes outside council offices in South London, Cornwall, Somerset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, and Shropshire, symbolizing those left without proper educational support. Families reported long waits for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and insufficient specialist placements, with some children experiencing severe mental health impacts, including suicidality. Organizers and parents emphasized a widespread SEND deficit exacerbated by underfunding and geographic isolation, particularly in Cornwall and Gloucestershire. Authorities acknowledged these challenges, with the Department for Education stating the system was inherited "on its knees" and indicating plans for reforms in a forthcoming Schools White Paper. Parents called for urgent government action to address the crisis and build a truly inclusive SEND system.