Telford MP hosts SEND Roundtable
Shaun Davies, member of parliament for Telford, has taken an important step toward understanding the education system for children with special educational needs by hosting a roundtable earlier this month at Parents Opening Doors.
Shaun was joined by parents with lived experience in the division as well as key partners in the community; Telford & Wrekin Council, CVS and Parents Opening Doors (PODS).
Discussions centered around education, support, and clarity for families – these issues have been frequently raised with Shaun since his election.
Shaun commented: “This roundtable was about listening to those living and working with the reality of our failing SEND system every single day. The stories and insights shared were frankly, shocking.
Each and every child in Telford deserves the support they need to thrive, not to struggle, and this discussion has given me the clear direction and urgency to fight for real change.”
Jayne Stevens, strategic lead at PODs, added “PODs Parent Carer forum were very pleased to be invited to Shaun’s roundtable for SEND discussion, and to be able to represent local SEND families and share their experiences, make recommendations and provide feedback around education and social care”
The roundtable is a part of the bigger, important conversation that Shaun has been having with residents in Telford over the past year. It is part of Shaun’s ongoing commitment to address the challenges families face on. His discussions will feed directly into the upcoming SEND White Paper, due for publication in early 2026, which aims to reform the SEND system nationwide.
Since entering Government, Labour have taken positive steps to improve the broken SEND system. They have invested £1 billion into SEND support, providing £740 million to support councils in adapting classrooms, improving access to activities and building specialist facilities for children with SEND in schools.
In the coming months, Shaun will host another SEND drop-in community session, specifically for families with lived experience to have the chance to speak directly with him and local services.
