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Opportunities to have your say on the SEND reforms in Gloucestershire
Published
The Department for Education (DfE) published in February the Schools White Paper, ‘Every Child Achieving and Thriving’, which includes proposed reforms to the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system ‘SEND reform: putting children and young people first’.
Alongside this, the DfE launched a public consultation to gather views on the proposals. The consultation closes on Monday, 18 May 2026 and the SEND and Inclusion Local Area Partnership (SILAP) would encourage families to share their views. Partners across Gloucestershire have several ways for Parent Carers to engage with events starting week commencing 27 April.
In Gloucestershire, the SEND and Inclusion Local Area Partnership (SILAP) are working together on a joint response to all aspects of the consultation and there are several opportunities to have your say on the SEND reforms in Gloucestershire:
1. Attend a SEND Reform session in Gloucestershire with Gloucestershire Parent Carer Forum and SENDIASS Gloucestershire.
These sessions are an opportunity to hear how the changes may affect your child or young person, share your thoughts, and find out how you can give feedback.
Virtual SEND Reform session
Tuesday, 28 April 
6.30pm โ 8.30pm 
Online via Teams
Book now via Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1987684874968
SEND Reform session, GLOUCESTER
Thursday, 30 April 10.00am (10.30am start) โ 12.30pm Gloucestershire Deaf Association, Colin Rd, Gloucester GL4 3JL
Book now via Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1987684435654
SEND Reform session, CHELTENHAM
Friday, 1 May 9.30am (10.00am start) โ 12.30pm Leonardo Hotel Cheltenham, Gloucester Rd, Cheltenham GL51 0TS
Book now via Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1987685125718
2. Follow the advice and guidance from one of our partners locally, the Barnwood Trust
Barnwood Trust has short survey to ensure as many views from parents, carers, disabled children, and disabled young people are heard as possible. We will submit these experiences to the Government consultation and make representations to local MPs.
Have your say on the new SEND proposals - Barnwood Trust
3. Attend a SEND engagement event
The Council for Disabled Children and the Department for Education are partnering to host a series of online and in-person engagement events as part of the SEND reforms both virtually and in-person across England.
SEND Reform: Putting Children and Young People First government consultation
4. Register your thoughts on the DfE website individually
Via SEND reform: putting children and young people first - Department for Education - Citizen Space. or look at the easy-read version SEND Reforms consultation.
For more information, please see the article on the timeline for SEND reform in the April 2026 edition of the Families in Partnership newsletter.
For more information on sharing feedback, please visit the 'Have your Say' page on Gloucestershireโs Local Offer, Support for Families with SEND .