Anna Gelderd MP Raises SEND Support Issues After Liskeard Meeting

MP Raises Alarm Over SEND Support in South East Cornwall

Anna Gelderd MP has brought together families and education professionals in Liskeard to discuss the need for more Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) support across South East Cornwall.

The meeting took place on Friday 13th March and formed part of Anna Gelderd’s ongoing campaign to secure more SEND provision in the area.

Families and professionals share experiences

Local families and education professionals from across South East Cornwall attended the SEND roundtable to discuss what support is needed for people with SEND in the area.

Anna Gelderd said the discussions will help shape the points she raises in Parliament as part of national reforms. The issues raised during the meeting will be used to argue for South East Cornwall to receive its fair share when the Government publishes the upcoming SEND White Paper.

Anna Gelderd, Member of Parliament for South East Cornwall, said:

“Our SEND support here in South East Cornwall needs fixing and I’m campaigning for more SEND provision in our area.

“That’s why I held my SEND roundtable to speak directly with families and education professionals about what South East Cornwall really needs so that we can give children with SEND the support that they deserve.

“I’ll be raising issues brought up at this meeting with colleagues in Parliament, calling for South East Cornwall’s needs to be included in the SEND White Paper.”

Surveys and drop-in sessions held

The roundtable followed other recent efforts by Anna to gather feedback from residents and professionals.

These included a caseworker drop-in session where residents were able to speak directly with her team about their experiences with SEND support. Anna also carried out two surveys, one aimed at families and another at education professionals, to ensure those affected had several opportunities to share their views.

Concerns over the national SEND system

The discussions come as concerns continue about the current SEND system across England.

Children with SEND are reported to be twice as likely to be absent from school, missing more than one in ten days on average. Since 2019, outcomes for children with SEND have remained largely unchanged, with nearly a third not in employment, education or training, which is around double the rate of their peers.

Families are also facing long waits for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), with delays sometimes lasting months or years before support begins. In 2025, only 46% of EHCPs were completed within the 20-week target.

Bridget Phillipson MP, Secretary of State for Education, said:

“Children have been let down for far too long by a system that is in crisis.

“Labour’s plans will transform the system so families don’t have to battle for support, and children with SEND are included, not sidelined. Inclusion should be at the heart of everything we do so that every child, no matter their background, can achieve and thrive.

“I’m delighted that MPs like Anna Gelderd are supporting families and school staff to feed into our consultation to ensure we build a system that works for all.”

Anna’s latest discussions in Liskeard will now feed into the wider national conversation around SEND reform as the Government prepares its SEND White Paper.