The government wants to hear from you. The SEND White Paper consultation opened alongside “Every Child Achieving and Thriving” and runs until 18 May 2026. It has 39 questions, each with a 1,500-character response limit, hosted on Citizen Space.
If that sounds overwhelming, don’t worry. You don’t need to answer every question. You don’t need to be an expert. You just need to be honest about what your family has experienced.
Why your response matters
Government consultations aren’t just box-ticking exercises. Responses are analysed, counted, and cited in policy documents. When the government drafts the legislation that will replace Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) with Individual Support Plans (ISPs), your response becomes part of the evidence base.
The last major SEND consultation (2022 Green Paper) received over 6,000 responses, and parent voices were cited repeatedly in the government’s response. The more parents who respond this time, the harder it becomes to ignore what families actually need. You don’t need professional language or legal terminology. The most powerful responses come from parents describing what the system looks like from their kitchen table. Policy makers read these, and they matter.
Before you start
Here’s what you’ll need.
- A Citizen Space account - Create one at the consultation link (free, takes 2 minutes)
- Your child’s SEND history - Think about assessment timescales, what worked, what didn’t
- Roughly 30-60 minutes - You can save progress and return later
- This guide - Keep it open alongside the consultation for reference
You don’t need to answer all 39 questions. The consultation lets you skip any question that doesn’t apply to you. Focus on the ones where you have something to say.
The questions that matter most for parents
Not all 39 questions carry equal weight. Here are the ones where parent voices make the biggest difference.
Questions about assessment and identification. These ask how children’s needs should be identified and assessed under the new ISP system. If your child waited months or years for assessment, say so. If the school identified needs that the LA then dismissed, describe that experience.
Questions about the Triple Lock. These ask whether the proposed legal protections are sufficient. If you’ve had to go to tribunal to enforce your child’s EHCP, or if the LA has failed to deliver named provision, your experience is directly relevant.
Questions about mainstream inclusion. These ask whether more children should be supported in mainstream schools. Be honest. If mainstream worked for your child with the right support, say so. If mainstream failed your child despite multiple attempts, say that too.
Questions about transition. These ask how existing EHCPs should move to ISPs. If you’re worried about losing provision during transition, or if your child’s EHCP took years to get right, explain why continuity matters.
The most effective responses are specific. Instead of writing “the system is broken,” write “my child waited 14 months for an Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment that should have taken 20 weeks. During that time, they received no additional support at school.” Specific details are harder to dismiss.
How to write a strong response in 1,500 characters
Each response box allows 1,500 characters. That’s roughly 250 words, or about one and a half text messages’ worth of content. Here’s how to make it count.
Lead with your point. Don’t build up to it. Start with what you want to say, then explain why.
Use one specific example. A real experience from your family is more persuasive than a general argument. “My LA took 47 weeks to finalise my child’s EHCP” lands harder than “assessment timelines are too long.”
Name the impact. What happened to your child because of the problem you’re describing? Lost education? Deteriorating mental health? Missed therapy? Impact makes abstract problems concrete.
End with what should change. If you’re describing a problem, briefly state what a better system would look like. “The 20-week timescale should be enforced with automatic consequences for LAs that miss it.”
Questions you can skip
Some questions are aimed at professionals, schools, or LAs. If a question asks about workforce training, commissioning arrangements, or organisational processes, you can skip it unless you have relevant experience.
Focus your energy on the questions that relate to your child’s experience. Quality matters more than quantity.
You can save your progress and return later. The consultation platform keeps your draft responses. If you need to look something up or want to think about a question overnight, save and come back.
Common concerns about responding
“I don’t know the right terminology.” You don’t need it. Write in your own words. The consultation is designed for everyone, not just professionals.
“My experience is just one family.” That’s exactly what they need. Policy is made from individual experiences added together. Your one response joins thousands of others to build a picture of what’s actually happening.
“I’m worried about being identified.” Responses can be submitted anonymously. You don’t have to give your name or your child’s name. Describe the situation without identifying details if you prefer.
“I don’t have time to answer all 39 questions.” Answer one. Answer five. Answer the ones that made you feel something when you read them. Any response is better than none.
Getting help
IPSEA will publish guidance notes on key consultation questions. Check their website and social media for parent-friendly briefings.
Your local SENDIASS may run workshops or drop-in sessions to help parents complete their responses.
Special Needs Jungle typically publishes question-by-question analysis to help parents understand what’s being asked.
How our free tool can help
The AI assistant at SEND Parents Help can help you understand the White Paper proposals, explain how the current EHCP system works, and help you think through your consultation responses. You can describe your situation and ask what the proposals might mean for your family.
Don’t miss the deadline
The consultation closes on 18 May 2026. After that, the window closes. The government will draft legislation based on what it hears, and if parent voices are underrepresented, the resulting law will reflect that.
It takes 30 minutes. Your child’s experience matters. And this is one of the few times the system actually asks you what you think.
Open the consultation on Citizen Space
Sources and further reading
Legislation and official guidance
- Every Child Achieving and Thriving: SEND White Paper (full White Paper)
- SEND White Paper consultation (Citizen Space consultation page)
- SEND Code of Practice (current statutory guidance, for reference when responding)