In her first week as a cabinet minister, Bridget Phillipson convened a meeting focused on special educational needs (SEND), attracting nearly 100 Labour MPs. The gathering highlighted the urgency of the issue, particularly for new MPs like Jen Craft, Daniel Francis, and Steve Race, who shared personal connections to the topic. Many others were aware of the mounting pressures on the system from their previous work in charities, unions, and disability advocacy. This meeting, held in July 2024, marked the beginning of what Phillipson identified as her most significant challenge in her role.
Phillipson’s awareness of potential pitfalls stems from her experience with the failed welfare vote, which taught her the importance of securing support from fellow MPs. Insiders suggest that a more critical lesson arose from the backlash against her initial legislation, the children’s wellbeing and schools bill. The bill included controversial changes, particularly regarding academy trusts, and faced severe criticism from both the right-wing media and bewilderment among some Labour MPs. The backlash raised concerns at No 10, where briefings hinted that Phillipson’s position could be at risk. Despite surviving this tumultuous period, Phillipson and her team recognized the need for improved communication regarding the scale of the problems and the rationale for proposed changes.
Building Support for SEND Reforms
To bolster support for SEND reforms, Phillipson has taken proactive steps to engage with her colleagues. In contrast to previous initiatives, where MPs felt sidelined, she has ensured that the Labour Party actively involves them in discussions. When Liz Kendall presented SEND proposals last spring, MPs received detailed briefings that included data illustrating the rising costs of personal independence payments. This approach contrasts sharply with earlier communications, which left many feeling that the reforms were merely a cost-cutting measure devoid of a moral framework.
Phillipson’s team understands that the success of SEND reforms hinges on upfront investment rather than merely reducing Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). “We have never put a target on reducing EHCPs, even though the hope is they will go down, because primarily this should be about reforming the system to improve it,” noted a departmental source. This commitment to improvement has resonated with various factions within the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP), including the more skeptical groups.
Phillipson has also reached out to the Socialist Campaign Group, led by John McDonnell, and the Tribune Group, which includes many MPs who previously rebelled against welfare cuts. New schools minister Georgia Gould has engaged with 8,000 individuals over several months to gather input from parents and special needs charities. This outreach has resulted in a notable amount of goodwill among party members, but lingering doubts remain regarding the viability of the proposed reforms.
Challenges Ahead for Phillipson
Despite the positive engagement, the path forward is fraught with challenges. Many MPs recall how long it took for doubts to surface during previous welfare reform discussions, leading to eventual rebellions. Phillipson is acutely aware that trust is a crucial factor in the success of her reforms. Parents face the prospect of losing a defined legal avenue to secure necessary services for their children, with the promise of improved provisions in return. For many, the belief that this is achievable remains tenuous, even with the additional funding of £4 billion allocated to the initiative.
Skepticism persists about whether schools will adequately train every teacher in SEND or successfully recruit additional specialists in speech and language therapy. Parents express concerns that relying solely on appeals to schools and local authorities may not yield fair treatment, stemming from negative past experiences. The overarching question remains whether Phillipson can persuade both parents and MPs that a better system is within reach. As she navigates this complex political landscape, the challenge of fostering hope in substantive change looms large.
