DfE SEND Reform Consultation

What You Need to Know bout Responding

From approaching this consultation, our most critical reflection is that responses are needed from a variety of people, not only to speak from different personal and professional experiences and expertise, but also to reflect the varied needs within the scope of the term SEND. It is not expected that any one person would answer every question, but that you can select a sample of questions that you feel equipped to comment upon.  

‘SEND reform: putting children and young people first’ can be found here 

This consultation closes on 18 May 2026 

You can submit an answer to just one question or multiple questions 

SEND is a vast area; it covers medical health, mental health, neurodiversity, and disability, and within each one of these subcategories, the needs of young people can be very different.  

Views are needed from strategic leaders in local authorities, mainstream schools, SEND settings, inclusion bases and alternative provision. Those involved in creative health and music therapy also have valuable insights to share. Most important are the views of young people with SEND; whether shared themselves (where appropriate) or by representatives for them, such as parents, guardians and carers.  

The schools white paper Every child achieving and thriving outlines the government’s commitment to improving education for young people with SEND. This consultation is a further step from ‘national conversations’ to gather views and to inform the ongoing work.  The ‘What parents of children and young people with SEND need to know’ document is helpful to understand terminology, changes and timescales.  

What is Music Mark doing?

Music Mark has worked with Drake Music’s Future Leaders and Open Up Music to gather responses from disabled young musicians and we will publish their thoughts openly as part of our consultation submission. The most pertinent question in the consultation being ‘how can we make sure children, young people and their families have a genuine say in these decisions’ (question 1).  

We have grouped questions from the survey into themes of relevance to support our members to make a response. As an individual and/ or organisation you can demonstrate the range and quality of work that takes place for SEND and music, and the specialism that already exists within music education.  

What can Music Mark members do?

• Read the section summaries on our SEND Consultation resource Page and find where your work aligns
• Respond to the most relevant questions: NB There may be multiple sections that are relevant to you
• Only answer questions that you want to contribute to and have something to say; this may just be one or a sample from one section 
• Contact info@musicmark.org.uk with any questions about this consultation and its relevance to music education. 

Music Mark offers a comprehensive range of resources to support excellence in music education, all of which can be accessed on our Resources Page