Families in the South West are being urged to speak up on proposed changes to special educational needs support.
Rebecca Roberts, an education law specialist and associate solicitor at Amicus Law, which has branches in Ilminster, Martock, and Yeovil, has raised concerns about plans set out in the government’s SEND reform white paper.
She said: "On the surface, these reforms are being positioned as making the system less adversarial, but when you look more closely, they risk stripping away the very mechanisms that allow parents to challenge decisions and secure the right support for their children."
Ms Roberts will speak at a parent talk at The Den Coffee House in Taunton from 7pm to 9pm on Friday, April 24.
Places can be booked in advance at bookwhen.com/coffeechatandsupport/e/ev-sj98q-20260424190000.
She has both professional and personal experience in the field.
Before joining Amicus Law, Ms Roberts worked as a headteacher, SENCO, and inclusion manager, and is also a parent to a child with significant special educational needs.
She warns that the proposed reforms could make it more difficult for families to advocate for their children’s needs.
Her main concerns include a shift toward generic support packages rather than individualised provision, reduced powers for tribunals to name specific school placements, and an increased reliance on non-binding local complaints processes.
Ms Roberts said: "There is a real risk this becomes a postcode lottery.
"Not all schools are equipped to deliver the level of support children with SEND need, and without robust safeguards, families will have fewer options to challenge that."
She also cautioned that the removal of independent scrutiny could force parents to challenge decisions within the same system that made them.
The government has said that these changes will be introduced gradually.
However, Ms Roberts believes the cumulative impact could be serious.
She said: "Small changes add up, and over time this could fundamentally reshape the system in a way that reduces accountability and access to justice for families."
She is encouraging parents, professionals, and stakeholders to respond to the government’s consultation, titled 'SEND reform: putting children and young people first,' before the deadline on Monday, May 18.
Ms Roberts said: "If your child may need an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), I would strongly encourage parents to begin that process without delay.
"At the same time, it is vital that families share their experiences and concerns through the consultation."
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