Posted on Wednesday 20th Mar 2019
Children with special educational needs and disabilities should not be treated as problems, youngsters have told MPs.
"We're not problems, we're not just disabled, we're not just Send - we are human beings, the same as the rest of you," one youngster, Ben, told MPs.
Ben was one of seven disabled young people who appeared before the Commons Education Select Committee on Tuesday.
The MPs are gathering information on Send from a range of groups and will publish a report in the early summer.
Ben, who works for Ripstar, a group that conducts research by young people with disabilities for young people with disabilities, told MPs that education, health and care plans (EHCPs) for children with special needs should not be seen as a form or a process but as "a child's life".
They should be person- and life-focused and "not just about education", enabling young people to develop life skills, he said.
"We found out that plans are too educational-focused and not life-focused, so children are not receiving the support they need in other important areas, such as developing independence, having choice, control, achieving aspirations, life goals, friends, accessing the community."
Can't find what you are looking for?
Don't worry, please call us anyway to discuss your ideal job.
Latest News
16/09/25Parents Protest against SEND plans
‘Our children matter’: parents protest against government’s Send overhaul plans
02/09/25School to expand on land earmarked for graveyard
A number of schools in Kent are set to expand, including one on to land previously reserved for a graveyard, in an effort to meet growing demand for school places.
14/07/25AI revolution to give teachers more time with pupils
Pupils across England will benefit from more face-to-face time with teachers as the government forges ahead with plans to harness the power of AI to deliver educational excellence.
08/07/25Children with special needs will 'always' have 'legal right' to support, education secretary says
Bridget Phillipson seeks to dampen a looming row over whether the government could scrap tailored plans for children with special needs - as some Labour MPs fear a repeat of the welfare row.
07/07/25Government urged to keep education plans for children with special needs
Ministers are facing calls to not cut education plans for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (Send). Campaigners say education, health and care plans (EHCPs) are "precious legal protections", warning that thousands of children could lose access to education if the plans are abolished.
News Archive