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It is a pleasure to welcome you to the second edition of our Hackney SEND Parent Carer Forum newsletter. Over the past year, our forum has continued to grow in strength, purpose and visibility, and I want to thank you for the trust and energy you bring to this community. Since our launch, we have been working hard to ensure that the voices of Hackney’s SEND parents and carers are represented where decisions are being made. We have contributed to key local discussions with the local authority, education settings, and health partners, making sure your experiences and priorities shape the services our families rely on. We have also taken part in regional and national forums, adding Hackney’s voice to the wider conversation on SEND policy and improvement across the country. Our aim remains the same: to ensure that parents and carers are not just heard but actively involved in driving change. Your insights, challenges and hopes to continue to guide our work, and we are committed to representing you with honesty, compassion, and determination. Thank you for standing with us as we build a stronger and more inclusive future for our children and young people. We look forward to another year of collaboration, support, and progress. |
Celebrating Spring Together |
Join us for a relaxed day for Hackney SEND families. Where we will be celebrating Dads, Uncles, Brothers, Grandfathers, Cousins, Male Caregivers for being an important positive male model. Mums, Sisters, Aunts and Grandmas are welcome as well, you are just as important, but we all understand that the males need some recognition too.
• Date: Saturday, 28th March 2026
• Time: 12pm – 4pm
• Location: Ickburgh School, Kenworthy Road, Hackney, London, E9 5RB
• Activities for children: Gaming Van, Bubble Fun, Bouncy Castle, Giant Jenga, Face Painting and so much more.
• For parents: Wellbeing Sessions, Male Mental Health Advice and more.
• Refreshments: Pizza Van, Popcorn Machine, Candy Floss, Slushie Machine, snacks, teas, and coffees.
• Free Raffle Prizes. |
Your Voice: buckle up for a tsunami of spring SEND consultations: |
SEND White Paper and Consultation – closing 18th May PIP Consultation – closing 28th May Adoption Support Consultation – closing 5th May
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Parents feedback after Hackney’s SEND Inspection. Behaviour and School Inclusion raised with Scrutiny Commission. Update following Preparing for Adulthood (PfA) Workshop. Highlights From NNPCF Conference.
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Partnership in for Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS). Healthy Parent Carer Programme. Benefits Change Affecting Disabled Children
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SEND White Paper and Consultation – What Parents Need to Know |
The Government has published a new SEND reform paper called “Every Child Achieving and Thriving.” Important:
The White Paper does not change current SEND law. If you are told that your child’s support has changed due of the White Paper, this is not true. What happens next? The proposals are open for consultation Consultation closes 18 May 2026 Any changes would need to go through Parliament before becoming law Useful information
Initial feedback from parent's attending government consultation sessions
Many parents welcome the focus on earlier support and some increased funding for children with SEND.
Many appreciate plans for increased professional support (Educational Psychologist, Speech and Language, Occupational Therapy) in mainstream education but concerned about the limited funds for this.
Many parents are concerned that fewer children may qualify for Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs) and about the powers of the SEND Tribunals being curtailed, with decisions on the latter already made.
Serious concerns are being raised that accountability for SEND support will diminish and could become even more adversarial. There are also worries about whether mainstream schools will get enough resources to support all children effectively.
Overall, parents agree that the SEND system needs improvement, but that the current legal system is solid but poorly implemented, lacking strategic thinking and well targeted funding, resulting in both overspend and poor outcomes.
Opinions are mixed about whether and how the proposed reforms could meet children’s needs.
Many charities have developed guidance for parents, including Contact, and Special Needs Jungle and we urge all parents, and where appropriate their child, to respond to the Consultation here. It is extremely important for everyone’s views to be heard: |
Timms Review of Personal Independence Payment: Call for Evidence |
The government has launched the Timms Review to ensure that Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is fair and fit for the future in a changing world, and helps support disabled people to achieve better health, higher living standards and greater independence, including through employment. It has received less attention than the White Paper but this is a hugely impactful consultation, please have your voice heard. |
HSPCF representations update |
Behaviour and Inclusion Scrutiny Commission |
This is a cross-party council committee that scrutinises how schools and council services handle behaviour, exclusions, and inclusion, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children with SEND. Over several workshops the Commission has heard evidence from parents, schools, officers, and experts. The resulting recommendations are not binding but carry weight and can influence local policy changes on behaviour and inclusion. Parents told us: Behaviour linked to SEND is often misunderstood Distress can be seen as defiance Reasonable adjustments are often not applied Some families experience informal exclusions or reduced timetables
Parent carers attending asked for: More and better trained school staff Neurodiversity and trauma-informed training for school staff and families centred on Restorative Justice practices Better monitoring of behaviour and wellbeing outcomes for SEND pupils through borough-wide data on suspensions, exclusions, and behaviour sanctions broken down by SEND, ethnicity, gender, pupil premium, school type Clearer escalation routes for families when support is not delivered, this is even more critical in non-maintained settings
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Hackney Local Area SEND Inspection Workshop |
Following the recent Local Area SEND inspection, HSPCF organised a forum which was attended by Yvonne Wade, Head of SEND, and Sarah Darcy of the Integrated Care Board. The forum gave parents and carers the opportunity to reflect on the findings and share their experiences, thank you to all those who attended and submitted questions, we look forward to your comments on Hackney’s response to the Inspection Report. Why this meeting was important? SEND leaders were able to hear directly from families about the lived impacts of what the inspection report describes as “inconsistent experiences.” Parents shared powerful accounts of how gaps in support affect children and families. These conversations help decision-makers better understand where improvements are needed.
What parents shared:
Getting a plan can be challenging. Plans are often of poor quality and out of date. Support written in plans is not always implemented consistently. Communication between services sometimes being unclear or difficult. Families feeling they must push very hard to secure any support. The emotional and practical impact on children and parents when support breaks down is high. These experiences highlight why consistent and reliable SEND support across services is so important. A positive step:• HSPCF is proud to be one of the first Parent Carer Forums to organise a parent feedback session following a SEND inspection.• This created an opportunity for families to discuss the report and ensure their voices are heard and the Council is planning the above follow-up meeting with parents and carers to discuss the Council’s Plan. What happens next?
Some questions raised by parents were answered during the presentation. Other questions will be addressed through the local authority’s SEND Action Plan, which must be sent to Ofsted within 35 days of the inspection report and published following the Inspection Team’s acknowledgement.
HSPCF will continue to collect feedback from families and raise these issues with the relevant services.
Thank you again to everyone who participated and supported this important discussion. |
Planning for Adulthood (PfA) Workgroup Meeting |
Several parents have attended the PfA Workgroup and shared their experiences to help shape Hackney’s plans for supporting young people with SEND as they move into adulthood. The council acknowledged significant gaps in post-16 provision, particularly the lack of options between college courses and supported internships, and recognised the need for stronger parent participation in developing solutions.
Why this matters
Many families report a “cliff edge” in support at age 16. Hackney acknowledged that supported education options between A-levels and assisted internships are limited, and that the quality and support available in some courses needs improvement. Parents shared their experiences of the challenges young people face when leaving school or college.
What parents highlighted
Parents called for a more flexible, continuous learning approach rather than requiring young people to repeatedly re-sit exams. They emphasised the value of vocational learning alongside qualifications, and the importance of starting planning for adulthood early, covering education, employment, independent living and community participation. Families also highlighted the need for clearer pathways and better coordination between services.
Next steps discussed
Understanding gaps • Co-produce with the PCF a map of existing services and gaps • Collect data on success rates and dropouts in current provision and share feedback with FE colleges • Survey SEND students in colleges about their experiences • Map voluntary organisations offering training opportunities
Identifying and scaling good practice
• Work with specialist secondary schools to expand supported learning options in sixth form and beyond • Support continuous learning pathways so young people can gain qualifications when ready • Explore vocational models leading to higher qualifications (e.g. mentored digital skills, computer game development, or hands-on training such as at Capel Manor) • Work with colleges to explore ARP-style support post-16 and post-18 • Consider alternatives to A-levels in mainstream secondary schools
Co-production
Look out for announcements for a workshop with HSPCF members, planned for late April/early May.
Thank you to the parents who have taken the time to contribute their experiences and ideas to this important work.
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The Chair of the HSPCF attended the National Parent Carer Forums’ Conference, joining forums from across England to discuss how we can work together nationally while staying focused on our local communities. Key updates from the day: National leaders provided an overview of the current SEND landscape and the direction of future reforms. The conference recognised the vital role Parent Carer Forums play in supporting families and shaping local services.
Conference focused on: Strengthening the parent carer voice Improving forum sustainability. Tackling shared challenges, including capacity pressures and partnership working. Introduction to updated PCF resources and support tools.
Highlights for HSPCF: Connecting with other forums and sharing experiences from across the country. Learning about innovative approaches being used by other PCFs. Bringing back fresh ideas and renewed energy to continue representing and supporting our local parent carer community.
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Partnership for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) |
PINS overview:
A national project funded by the Department for Education, working with NHS England, Department of Health and Social Care, and the National Network of Parent Carer Forums. Local partnership in Hackney:
A collaboration between Hackney SEND Parent Carer Forum, Homerton University Hospital, Hackney Council, schools, families, and the wider community. Core aim: Improve support for neurodivergent children by strengthening relationships between schools and parents/carers and enhancing inclusive school environments. Parent carer involvement:
HSPCF volunteers have run coffee mornings, wellbeing sessions, and stress management workshops in six primary schools within Hackney. Positive impact on families: Parents/carers we engaged with reported feeling more supported, better informed and better connected with their peers. They appreciated the opportunities to speak to professionals such as Educational Psychologists. School engagement: Parent carer representatives have also attended leadership meetings, contributing to school awareness of neurodiversity and ensuring all families have the opportunity to engage with PINS. Long-term goal: Shape whole-school SEND provision and build a lasting culture of collaboration between schools, families, and professionals. |
HSPCF Healthy Parent Carer programme |
Purpose:
Approach:
• Based on the evidence-based CLANGERS framework (Connect, Learn, Be Active, Notice, Give, Eat Well, Relax, Sleep), recognising that parent carers often prioritise their children over their own wellbeing.
How it works:
• Small peer groups (up to 12 participants) led by trained facilitators who are also parent carers. The programme runs over 6 weeks (12 modules) and is delivered online or in person.
Outcomes:
• Participants set realistic goals for themselves, build problem-solving skills and develop a toolkit for long-term self-care. Many families describe the programme as life-changing and helping them sustain their caring roles.
Next steps:
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Benefit Changes Affecting Disabled Children |
Upcoming changes: Short-term changes: Long-term plans: Support for families: Access to information: |
Our Hackney SEND Parent Carer Forum is led by a team of volunteers who coordinate meetings, represent families, and ensure the forum runs smoothly. Current officer roles: Tunde (Chair) - leads the forum and represents parent voices in local and national discussions. Monsurat (Vice-chair) - supports the Chair and steps in when needed. Judit (Secretary) - manage communications, minutes, and documentation Marie (Treasurer) - oversees the forum’s finances and budgeting. Marie (Complaints Officer) - handles concerns fairly and impartially about the forum. |
Adoption support that works for all |
The majority of adopted children in the UK have had multiple adverse childhood experiences and have a significantly elevated risk of special educational needs, including learning, communications, and emotional difficulties. In February, the government has launched a consultation on its proposals to make the adoption and kinship system of support better fairer and more efficient. Adoptive or kinship parent carers and adoptees are invited to share their experiences and views. |
Cerebra publication on Institutionalising Parent Carer Blame |
This is a report published back in July 2021 but many of you may find it relevant in relation to developing responses to the various consultations afoot. |
Are you worried about your child or young persons future? SEND protect, offer financial knowledge and tools to parents so they can confidently plan for their child’s future. SEND Protect, specialise in providing free education to help parents navigate the complexities of planning for their child’s financial security. While a great source of advice, please note that the organisation sells financial products and services – always shop around before agreeing to a purchase. They help with:
Exploring options for financial protection to safeguard your family’s future. Planning for long-term financial security and building savings for your children. Understanding the importance of wills, guardianship, and future planning for SEND families. Lasting Power of Attorneys and how to appoint trusted individuals for decision-making. Trusts to protect assets while preserving access to means-tested benefits.
Please see the link below for further information |
Information and advice for families with disabled children. |
Parent-led information, resources, and informed opinion about children and young people 0-25 with special educational needs, disabilities, and complex health conditions |
Information about SEND services in Hackney |
Hackney Residents Learn Courses |
Interested in learning some new skills? Please see the link below offering free courses to Hackney Residents. |
Hackney Ark has a team of paediatricians, working on a project to support children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) on supporting a healthy weight. If you are interested, please fill in the survey link, all those interested will be invited to join a 1-hour Coffee Morning for a talk and will receive a £20 voucher. |
Hackney Imagination Library |
Any child aged under 5 living in Hackney, parents can register their child to join the Imagination Library. If you have more than one child under 5, each child may register.
All children Will receive a high-quality, age-appropriate book free.
Addressed to them in the post each month, until their 5th birthday.
Penguin Random House UK publishes all books.
Books carefully selected by a panel of experts in early childhood development and reading.
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Hayward Adventure Playground |
There is an Adventure Playground in the Borough of Islington, which is suitable for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Please see link below for more information. |
If your child or young person is in receipt of DLA or PIP, parents you can apply for a CEA card which gives a free cinema ticket for a carer. Carer must be accompanied with the cardholder; the child or young person’s ticket is bought at full price, and Carer can purchase a free ticket for themselves. |
Our free Planning for the Future webinars are hosted by the Wills and Trusts service at Mencap and you will also hear from Mencap Trust Company and a qualified legal professional. The specialist legal professional you will hear from will talk through the importance of Wills and Trusts, and explain how they work, what they are and why you might need one. Mencap Trust Company are a not-for-profit Trust company, who set up Trusts for people with a learning disability, managing and investing their money in a way that is right for them. They might be an option for you if you choose to set up a Trust.
All of these guides and resources are free to access and download on our webpage, and we also have a very handy FAQ on the webpage too. Parents and carers are always welcome to email us if they have any questions or queries, and we'll be able to signpost in the right direction: willsandtrusts@mencap.org.uk
We can also offer lists of STEP-qualified legal professionals organised by county and a 'Top Tips for finding a Legal Professional' resource |
Emotional Based School Non Avoidance We continue to monitor Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA) closely. As the most recent meeting was unfortunately cancelled, we will maintain regular communication to ensure we stay updated on any developments. We will also keep parents and carers informed of any relevant updates. |
Revealed: DfE’s orders to councils as SEND reforms quietly begin
HEALS (Hackney Education Alternative Learning Service) Will try to get more on HEALS from them with a stronger SEND lens.
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We want to hear about the issues affecting SEND families so that we can represent your voice. We will gather themes and collective issues and will raise them with the relevant services. |
Please get in touch on info@hspcf.org if you are interested in getting involved with HSPCF representations and organisation. Volunteers will begin their induction training in April 2026. HSPCF now have a handbook created by the Chair. |
Future Dates for Wider Forum Meetings |
Tuesday 21st April – Parents Induction Meeting
Tuesday 28th April – Health Meeting
Thursday 30th April – PfA
Wednesday 13th May – White Paper Discussion
Thursday 11th June – Introduction to SEND Law
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