Rayleigh and Wickford MP, Mark Francois, recently attended an event chaired by broadcaster and SEND advocate, Rory Bremner, hearing from parents, teachers and young people about the urgent need to safeguard specialist SEND provision, within the Government's ongoing reforms.
The event, 'SEND Matters: The Voices We Are Not Hearing', brought together MPs, peers, parents, teachers, SEND pupils and sector experts, to hear first-hand accounts from families and young people with complex special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). During the event, guests heard inspiring success stories from young people who, after receiving the right specialist support at the right time, are now in employment and contributing to their communities.
Mark was also able to mention his own experience of campaigning to create the first ever Special Educational Needs School in the Rochford District, a project which Mark established after hearing from numerous distressed parents about their concerns that the system was letting their children down, by not providing them with the specialist education and support that they need.
Commenting after the event, Mark said:
“I have been on somewhat of a SEND journey, since the launch of my campaign to create the Rochford District’s first ever SEND school. I was, therefore, delighted that Rory Bremner, who has previously ‘taken the mickey’ out of me, gave me the opportunity to speak at such an important event, concerning a topic that is close to my heart. Good luck to all concerned in being heard and making a real change.”
