Upcoming events

We are hosting a series of online and in-person engagement events to support the SEND formal consultation. These events are open to everyone with an interest in the consultation – including parents and carers, local authorities, schools, early years and further education settings, and health and social care representatives.

Each event will provide an overview of the consultation areas and our vision for reform, followed by breakout groups to discuss key themes – you can choose the groups that are of most interest to you. These events are being delivered in partnership with the Council for Disabled Children (CDC). The breakout sessions will be:

• Working together to respond to needs early
• Parents as partners in the system Inclusive mainstream system
• Specialist support and EHCPs
• Support across the whole system and join up between organisations
• Accountability, redress and appeals
• Recording needs across all layers of support

Your views matter. The insights shared at these events will be gathered by CDC and brought together in a report that will be considered as part of the consultation response and help shape future reforms to the SEND system. 

These events will build on the ongoing engagement that the DfE has been leading with the education sector including the mainstream inclusion RISE conferences, and planned sector online events. Ministers are also holding meetings with campaigners and disabled children’s organisations throughout the consultation period to hear a range of views and perspectives on the proposed reforms. 

CDC are also running a series of focus groups with organisations working with children and young people to hear directly from them.  These sessions will bring together children with a range of needs and provide a valuable opportunity to understand their perspectives and experiences. You can find out more here. 

To make sure your voice is fully represented across our consultation questions, please also submit a formal written response. You can do that here. 

Space at events is limited so that conversations can be meaningful and content will be the same at each event. Please only register for one of these events, so that as many people as possible can take part. If you are unable to secure a place, you can still access a range of information about the consultation through a series of five recorded information webinars.

The event schedule is:  

Further details of events will be shared with those who register.

Online event for parents and carers with Minister Georgia Gould

Sign up for the online event for parents and carers with School Standards Minister Georgia Gould, on Wednesday 15 April at 18:00. Minister Gould will be joined by a panel of experts to discuss the proposals and will take questions from you in a live Q&A.

Online ministerial events for the education sector

DfE Ministers are hosting a series of online events for the education sector - giving you an opportunity to engage directly with our proposals, hear from those leading the reform, and ask them questions.

Sign up for the event for those working in early years hosted by the Early Education Minister, Olivia Bailey, on Wednesday 22 April 18:00-19:00. 

Sign up for the event for those working in primary schools hosted by Minister Georgia Gould, the School Standards Minister, on Wednesday 29^th April 4pm – 4:40pm. 

Sign up for the event for those working in secondary schools hosted by Minister Georgia Gould, the School Standards Minister, on Wednesday 29^th April 5pm – 5:40pm.  

Sign up to receive an email update on the event for those working in post-16 hosted by the Skills Minister once this date is confirmed.