Oliver Ryan MP: Reporting Back

Hello everyone! I hope you’re all keeping well.

It’s been a very busy few weeks! During recess I loved being back out and about in the constituency. From planting trees to talking to the BBC about potholes, I tried to fit as much in as possible!

Now it’s back to Westminster and it really does feel a bit like the first day back at school after the holidays. A long to-do list, plenty of energy, and lots to get stuck into.

One of the most important things on that list is the Government’s new schools white paper – “Every child achieving and thriving”.

I know from so many conversations with parents, carers, and teachers just how broken our SEND system is. Time and time again parents are being let down. I've had many in tears at my surgery. It’s a disgrace. Too many families feel they’ve had to fight and fight for support that should simply be there.

Even with an EHCP in the current system, parents are locked in an adversarial battle to get the support they're told they can expect, which often, never materialises. It’s time to change that.

This is why the new announcement about reforms to our school system is a welcome sigh of relief for many parents.

Let me be clear: EHCPs don't work. The whole system is wound up in tribunals and battles and faceless specialists who never see the child.

Schools will play a greater role, every child who needs one will have an Individual Support Plan, and schools will be funded for this. Every school will have access to specialists like psychologists and speech and language support staff. Mainstream will be bolstered, not weakened.

This new system will be properly built, carefully tested, and safe.

Alongside this, we have plans to raise attainment and SEND understanding in all schools, improving early support, and making help available to everyone, with no long battle.

The new system will have 4 tiers of support, rather than the blunt instrument of the EHCP. This isn't a cost saving measure, its grasping the nettle of a failed system.

Our teachers and schools need real, tangible support to get this right. This is why reforms include an additional £3.8 billion in funding – supporting our educators and our next generation.

Your voice is important in this conversation – we need to hear from you! The Government has launched a consultation to ask what people think about the changes to SEND support which can be found on the GOV.UK website.

As always keep in touch. If you have any concerns or queries you can contact me at [email protected] or by attending a drop in between 10am-2pm at my office, 5 Grimshaw Street.

All the best.

Oliver