(UK) Worcs: $9.3M for high needs support; parents protest lack of services
- The end of childhood
- Nov 8
- 2 min read
Nov 4, 2025, Worcester News: SEND: Worcestershire protest for Every Shoe Tells A Story
FAMILIES across Worcestershire united to protest against the treatment of children with special educational needs in the education system.
Worcestershire parents brought along a pair of shoes to represent each child failed by the system during the protest at County Hall on Monday, November 3.
Each shoe has the story of a child attached detailing their experiences in the education system as part of the national Every Pair Tells a Story movement.
Rebekah Watton, 32, who co-ordinated the Worcestershire branch, said: "We want to show that there are children up and down the country who are being failed by the education and SEND system.
"Children in school are being failed, many children out of school aren’t even recognised because they’re still being classed as being on roll – but they’re not actually in school.
"Parents are left with no other choice but to home educate.
"There are so many stories and so many different impacts on all the children being in education and what education as a whole looks like for them.
"The education is not tailored to each child and that has a detrimental impact on children with special educational needs who can’t access education and need help that’s not being given to them.”
She wants to see teachers and teaching assistants all trained for special educational needs, so schools are inclusive and children are part of the community.
Cllr Dr Stephen Foster, cabinet member for education and SEND, said the council remains committed to delivering its three-year Capital Programme for the development of SEND provision.
"The recent budget reduction does not impact the delivery of any projects identified within this programme.
"An annual sufficiency review of provision will continue to provide an assessment for Cabinet to ensure the programme remains aligned with need and sustainable for future years.
"We also welcome the £7.1 million [$9.3M] High Needs Capital Grant from the Department for Education for 2025/26, which is being used to deliver the current capital programme and support improvements in SEND provision across the county.
"We await the Schools White Paper in early 2026, which will set out the Government’s planned reforms to the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system."
Worcester MP Tom Collins feels many children and parents had been let down by the system.
He said: "We need a reset - honesty, clarity and a genuine willingness to understand and support families.
"Last night I met with Olivia Bailey, the minister for SEND and I explained the crisis in Worcestershire.
"We need fundamental change in our education system to make it more diverse, relevant and intrinsically inclusive, but we also need urgent action to put practical support around children and families fast.
"I am also working locally, to drive a radical change in approach, to hold local leaders to account, and to start a journey that can eventually rebuild trust with families.
"This is a very high priority for me - I will not stop working and campaigning on this until every child and family is listened to, respected and supported."
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