Jack Abbott Hosts SEND Town Hall Meeting

Last week, I met with families who have been so badly failed by Suffolk's broken SEND system, and listened to the heartbreaking stories of children and their parents.

While SEND is now very much a national issue, SEND in Suffolk has been in crisis for a decade. The endless waits for an EHCP. A dearth of specialist places. Exhaustive Ombudsman and tribunal battles. Woeful communications and support.

Our Government is investing an extra £1 billion in SEND, and has provided Suffolk County Council with £10 million to build new specialist places. However, it is not just more funding that is needed (although it is incredibly welcome), we need a culture change too. As I have done for many years, I will continue to support families and fight for change at both a local and a national level.

Thank you to everyone who joined me for this important conversation, and to Bec and Claire from PACT Parents And Carers Together, Kelly from ARC SEN Parent Support, and Michelle, Marcus and Natalie from Neurodivergent Abilities for all their insights and contributions to the morning.