Alex backs Lib Democrats’ plan for fixing special educational needs system

Local Lib Dem MP, Alex Brewer, has endorsed the party’s newly announced plan for how to fix the UK’s broken Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system.

The multi-faceted approach, laid out in a letter to the Prime Minister written by Lib Dem leader, Sir Ed Davey MP, and Education Spokesperson, Munira Wilson MP, focuses on 5 key factors:

1. Putting children and families first
2. Boosting special needs capacity and improving mainstream provision
3. Supporting local government
4. Improving early identification and shortening waiting lists
5. Making funding fair

Crafted alongside experts and with the input of those on the frontlines of the SEND Crisis, this approach aims to rectify the damage done to the system by years of Conservative austerity. These cuts left special needs schools subscribed and overcrowded, causing many children with SEND to go without the vital aid they need to succeed, with parents powerless to help their loved ones.

Alex, who has experience in this field having formerly run a charity supporting children and young adults with SEN, echoed the Lib Dems’ calls for a clear and transparent approach to addressing these issues.

She commented: “our current system simply is not working, and is causing considerable hardship for children, parents, and teachers. My casework inbox is evidence of this daily.

“This hardship is only worsened by how unclear and uncertain the Government has been on this issue. We need clarity, and the straightforward priorities we’ve laid out are the best way to provide this.”