Surrey Lib Dems Secure Key Reforms in SEND Services Amid Growing Concerns

Surrey Lib Dems win an important change to SEND decisions

Surrey Liberal Democrats are making sure Special Educational Needs (SEN) case officers will be allowed to attend Panel meetings. The Panel is where education decisions are made for children with special and often complex needs. This is a huge step towards making sure that the professionals who know the children and their families are involved in deciding their future education. Until now, SEN case officers weren’t allowed to be present, which caused parents deep concern. So there would be no one who knew the child and their unique circumstances. "The panel could be Mickey Mouse and friends for all we know" one parent commented.

This change came about on 28 January 2025, when Cllr Liz Townsend (Lib Dem, Cranleigh & Ewhurst) proposed, and got approved, the automatic inclusion of SEN case officers in Panel meetings.  She is optimistic about the positive difference this will make.

"I appreciate this is just one small step, but it is a positive and very welcome move in the right direction to improving a process that is so stressful for all involved. The case officer works closely with the family, and hopefully, this will lead to better representation of the child's needs."

Advocacy for Families

Liz has long been a strong advocate for greater involvement of parents and children in the SEND decision-making process.  She has worked with numerous local families and knows how important it is that they are better represented at the Panel, where crucial decisions are being made. Liz hopes this is a first step towards family involvement, despite the reluctance from other political groups.

"I was disappointed that the Cabinet rejected the need for greater involvement from parents and children in the process. But I remain determined to continue challenging the current system every step of the way to make sure families are heard."

Lib Dems demand better SEND support

The Surrey Liberal Democrats' MPs and Councillors have been talking with families, educators, and advocacy groups, gathering insights so the system can work better for the children it should serve.

Surrey’s six Lib Dem MPs wrote to the Education Secretary, raising ‘grave concerns’ about Surrey County Council’s handling of SEND provision. The letter highlighted the high number of complaints, delays in Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), and allegations that SCC has been downgrading formal complaints to inquiries in order to hide the true level of parents’ dissatisfaction with the service. Our MPs continue to call for urgent government intervention to ensure transparency and accountability in SEND services so that every child receives the support they need to thrive.