'We must keep pushing for SEND services to improve'

One of the best things about my job is the opportunity to visit schools across Newcastle-under-Lyme. When I do, one thing always stands out - the potential in every room. Each child I meet represents the future, carrying the hopes and dreams that reflect the very best of our community.

We owe it to the next generation to make a simple but powerful promise: that we will equip them with the tools they need to thrive. Our responsibility is not just to help them achieve their full potential but also to ensure they have every opportunity to succeed.

When it comes to children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), we fall far short of that promise. Every day, parents contact me with heartbreaking stories of their children—who hold the keys to the future—being cruelly robbed of their chance to thrive by a system that fails them. A system that is unresponsive, inflexible, and incapable of fulfilling its most basic purpose: providing the best quality education for every child.

It’s not just parents who are frustrated. School leaders frequently tell me that whilst they are deeply committed to supporting every child, they know they are not equipped to meet the needs of children with SEND as they would like. They are raising these concerns with the system, highlighting the lack of resources, training, and capacity to deliver the tailored support that children deserve. For too long, these warnings have gone unheard, leaving too many children in an environment that doesn’t support their learning or development.

We must ensure that schools are empowered to provide inclusive education by giving them the resources and expertise they need.

I welcome the Education Secretary making this issue a priority. She has acknowledged the harsh reality many families face: a system neglected to the point of crisis, failing families, and leaning too heavily on specialist provision at the expense of inclusivity.

The planned reforms focus on making mainstream education more inclusive by improving teacher training, addressing barriers in the curriculum, and ensuring schools are equipped to support every child’s needs. SEND reform is a priority for me, and while I know meaningful change can’t come soon enough for all our children - after all addressing a crisis of this scale takes time. What matters now is that we, as a community, keep pushing for progress, ensuring that the voices of parents, teachers, and pupils are heard loud and clear in shaping these reforms.

I welcome the announcement in the Budget to increase funding for SEND with an extra £1 billion worth of investment and commitment. That’s the difference a Labour government makes. 

And that’s why I’m calling on everyone in Newcastle-under-Lyme who has navigated the SEND system—whether as a parent, carer, teacher, or pupil—to share their experiences with me. If you’ve struggled to get the support you need, or if you’ve seen firsthand what’s working and what isn’t, I want to hear from you. 

I’ve launched a survey on my website, www.adamjogee.com/send, where you can share your story. Every response will help strengthen the case for better SEND services and ensure your voice is part of the conversation and the solution here in Staffordshire.

For those currently battling the system, please know that you are not alone. If you’re facing difficulties accessing diagnoses, support plans, or the help your child deserves, reach out to me at adam.jogee.mp@parliament.uk. I will do everything I can to push the system to recognise—and act on—your case.

The challenges ahead may be significant, but they are not insurmountable. Together, we can build a system that reflects the potential and promise I see in every classroom I visit—a system that ensures every child in Newcastle-under-Lyme, no matter their needs, has the chance to thrive.