Disabled children’s legal rights are ‘red lines’ in Send overhaul, ministers warned
Exclusive: Charities and experts fear changes to special needs education in England may weaken legal protectionsUK politics live – latest updatesMinisters have been warned that any dilution of legal rights for disabled children and their families would cross “red lines”, as the government...
<p><strong>Exclusive:</strong> Charities and experts fear changes to special needs education in England may weaken legal protections</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/feb/02/uk-politics-peter-mandelson-jeffrey-epstein-labour-party-fallout-latest-updates">UK politics live – latest updates</a></p></li></ul><p>Ministers have been warned that any dilution of legal rights for disabled children and their families would cross “red lines”, as the government prepares substantial changes to special education needs and disabilities (Send) provision in England.</p><p>The <a href="https://disabledchildrenspartnership.org.uk/">Disabled Children’s Partnership</a>, which represents more than 130 charities and professional groups, has written to the education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, and MPs to raise concerns that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/jan/29/parents-in-england-fear-losing-support-for-disabled-children-due-to-special-needs-reforms-send">the overhaul </a>will “come at the expense of children’s legal protections”.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/feb/02/disabled-children-legal-rights-send-ministers-special-needs-education-england">Continue reading...</a>
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