Dagenham And Rainham MP Hosts SEND Roundtable To Support Parents And Carers.

Dagenham and Rainham MP, Margaret Mullane, convened a second SEND roundtable event on Friday 17 April attended by parents and schools and SEND professionals from across the constituency to provide feedback on the recent White Paper publication on SEND reform.

Margaret told the Havering Daily: “Following my first roundtable back in 2025, I fed the views, concerns, and recommendations of my constituents into the government ahead of the White Paper. I’m pleased to say that much of what parents and professionals suggested was included, such as investing £200m in training. 

“There is no one-size-fits-all in SEND provision, which is why I held a second roundtable to get feedback on the government’s proposals for reform. As with last time I will make sure the needs of families in Dagenham and Rainham are heard at the highest levels of government.”

Some of the thoughts aired focussed on expanding alternative provisions and creating pathways for life after education, not just getting children with SEND through exams, but helping them to thrive and achieve. Discussions moved onto SEND training, which was welcomed but there was concern about who would be delivering the programmes – the consensus being that it should be from those with lived experience.

Mental health support, the tribunal structure for EHCPs, and the retention of professionals such as Educational Psychologists, Speech and Language therapists and Occupational therapists were also raised.

Margaret added: “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.”

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