Response to SEND protest in Shrewsbury on 3 November

Response to SEND protest in Shrewsbury on 3 November

In response to the SEND protest [outside Guildhall in Shrewsbury] on Monday (3 November 2025) we want to acknowledge the tremendous frustration and challenges faced by parent carers across the country. This protest is part of a broader national movement, highlighting the systemic issues within the SEND system, which is chronically under-funded and in dire need of reform.

The National Audit Office has recognised that the national SEND system is in crisis.

As a result, local authorities nationwide are eagerly awaiting national policy changes that will support better outcomes for all children and young people with SEND.

These ongoing challenges impact families and children, causing delays and lost opportunities, and underscore the urgency for early intervention.

While these issues within the national SEND system are widespread, Shropshire has made tremendous progress. We are proud of the significant strides we have made in improving our SEND services. Last month, our new SEND and Alternative Provision (AP) Strategy was approved by Shropshire Council and received cross-party support. Over the past year, we have increased SEND top-up funding to mainstream schools by 65%, and our ongoing investment in SEND resource hubs ensures that pupils receive high-quality education close to their homes. Additionally, we have focused on enhancing staff training in collaboration with our SEND partners to support the development of ever more inclusive schools.

Like other local authorities, Shropshire has seen a notable increase in Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), rising from 2,500 in May 2024 to 3,188 in October 2025. As part of the Department for Education's SEND and AP Change Programme, Shropshire is at the forefront of national improvements in SEND. We are further developing our Local Inclusion Support Offer to include enhanced CPD for SEND and Inclusion, an Alternative Provision Specialist Taskforce, Specialist Outreach services, an Assistive Technology Lending Library.

To manage increasing demand, we have restructured teams and created new posts such as Education Quality Advisors to increase the challenge and support to school. Our new Early Years Transition Officers will support pupils to make a smooth transition to school. Our new Outreach workers will support pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs, together with our engagement and attendance mentors.

Our approach supports early intervention, provides challenge and support to schools and settings, and enables staff in schools to meet pupils' needs well.

We have strengthened our governance and oversight, developed a coherent strategy, and remain committed to continuous improvement. Our efforts are reflected in improved Ofsted outcomes in our schools and a reduction in parental complaints. Notably, Shropshire is now ranked third lowest in the West Midlands for permanent exclusions, a significant improvement from previous years. Pupils are being well-supported in increasingly inclusive schools. Shropshire is increasingly being used as a model of good practice by the Department for Education.

We continue to build capacity and infrastructure to meet the needs of children and young people, including the creation of 13 new specialist provisions and plans to ensure easier access to special school places. Additional capital investment includes sensory rooms and other resources, which are providing valuable support to Shropshire pupils in their local schools.

However, despite these improvements we fully acknowledge that there is still much work to be done to secure the very best outcomes for Shropshire children and young people.

We continue to lobby government to recognise the unique challenge of Shropshire and the need to ensure increased funding to meet the rising demand for services.

We are committed to further strengthening our communications with parents and ensuring clarity and certainty in decision-making.

We are also amplifying the voices of children, young people, and families through our new outcomes framework.

We continue to recognize the need for timeliness in our processes, and our staff are dedicated to improving our systems to better support children with EHCPs and provide additional specialist support to schools.

We hear the voice of angry parent carers and share in their frustration. We are determined to make the urgent changes necessary for the benefit for all.