Why I had to turn to lawyers as the parent of a child with Send | Letter

2026-03-16 - 17:03

Melissa Hayhurst says the government should ensure children are getting the support they need instead of attacking the lawyers helping parents The claim by the education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, that lawyers are “exploiting” parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) is not only wrong, it is deeply insulting to the thousands of families who are forced to rely on legal advice simply to secure the support their children are already entitled to under the law (Report, 13 March). I am one of those parents. My daughter Jessica has complex needs and is unable to speak or communicate. Like many families across the country, we depend on the legal protections within the Send framework to ensure that she receives the education, care and support she requires. Continue reading...