Bridget Phillipson must not abandon special needs children | The Spectator Australia

Bridget Phillipson Faces Backlash Over Special Needs Education

Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education, has recently refocused on her role, but her actions have upset many parents of children with special needs. The Department of Education's latest announcement has sparked significant concern among this community.

Delay in Special Needs Provision White Paper

Parents were already disappointed when it was announced that the publication of the schools' special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) white paper would be postponed until next year. This delay is partly due to Phillipson's other commitments, including her unsuccessful bid to become deputy Labour party leader earlier this autumn.

Worries About System Overhaul

Alongside the delay, there are troubling rumors about a possible complete overhaul of the SEND system. These concerns have unsettled many parents who struggle daily to manage the complexities of special needs education.

Potential Loss of One-to-One Support

Most alarming are reports that children with lower-level needs might lose access to one-to-one teaching assistant support, a change that parents fear would severely impact their children's education.

"Concern over this delay – sinister murmurings about a total overhaul of the system have also alarmed parents already struggling to navigate this labyrinth – has been overshadowed by reports that children with ‘lower level’ needs may lose one-to-one teaching assistant support."

Summary

The proposed delay and potential reduction of personalized support have raised significant fears among parents of children with special needs, putting pressure on Bridget Phillipson to reconsider the department's approach.

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The Spectator Australia The Spectator Australia — 2025-11-05

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