Margaret Mullane Mp recently covened a second roundtable event in Dagenham and Rainham, bringing together Parents and SEND proffesionals to discuss ongoing challanges and future improvements to SEND provision.
The roundtable, held on Friday 17th April, provided an oppurtunity for attendees to share their experiences and contribute feedback on the Government’s recent White Paper on SEND reform. The discussion built on Margaret Mullane’s first roundtable in 2025, continuing her commitment to ensuring that the voices of local families are heard at the highest levels of government.
Key issues raised during the session included gaps in SEND provision, the need for improved training, and concerns around who will deliver servcies in practice. Participants emphasised the importance of drawing on lived experience when shaping future policy.
The conversation also explored the expansion of alternative provision and the creation of clearer pathways for life after eductaion, supporting children and young people with SEND not only academically, but in achieveing long-term independence and success.
Mental Health support, the structure of Eductation, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and the retention of specialist professionals including educational psycchologists, speech and language therapists, and occupational therapists were also highlighted as priority areas.
Margaret Mullane Mp said:
“This is such a complex area, and it is so important to the lives of many children and their parents. Making changes to improve the system must be handled with care, putting the voices of parents at the heart of the process. That’s why I have been determined in Dagenham and Rainham to listen to and discuss the subject openly.
“I have met with the Secretary of State for Education and the Schools Minister in recent months and will be compiling a letter to both with details of the discussion held last week.”
Margaret Mullane Mp will continue to engage with local families, professionals and government to advocate for improvements to SEND provision.