Voices of children and young people in the SEND reforms

Update: SEND Reform: Children and young people consultation report

Our work on consulting children and young people on the SEND reforms outlined in the Schools White Paper Every Child Achieving and Thriving is now complete, and we've published a report in three different PDF formats available to download below.

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On Monday 23rd February the Department for Education published its schools white paper Every Child Achieving and Thriving which shares its plan to reform special educational needs and disability (SEND) support in early years, schools and colleges.

Alongside the White Paper is a national consultation called putting children and young people first, running until 18th May 2026. The Council for Disabled Children’s Participation team is working throughout this consultation period to support disabled children and young people, and those with special educational needs, to share their thoughts, experiences, and ideas, and help shape the SEND reforms.

Would your group or class like to join our children and young people’s consultation?

We are working with children and young people up to the age of 25 and we would value your support in facilitating this. We will be prioritising seldom heard voices and would like to hear from a diverse range of children and young people, including those who have higher support needs and different ways of communicating.

Focus group sessions will be starting across England in the first week of March and will run until April 30 2026. We have limited spaces, and we expect them fill up very quickly.

Please read the below information materials before getting in touch with us at [email protected].

School's White Paper Children and Young People Consultation - Recruitment Easy Read

School's White Paper Children and Young People Consultation - Recruitment Flyer

School's White Paper Children and Young People Consultation - Recruitment Plain Text

School's White Paper Children and Young People Consultation - Recruitment Practitioner's Information Sheet