Somerset Families Protest for SEND Support
Every Pair Tells a Story campaign highlights children left behind by the system
Today, Somerset County Hall in Taunton will be lined with children’s shoes in a visual demonstration calling for better support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The national campaign, Every Pair Tells a Story, is organised by The SEND Sanctuary UK in partnership with Let Us Learn Too and Let’s Make a Difference. The coordinated action is taking place simultaneously across more than 80 council locations in England and Scotland, including London, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Each pair of shoes represents a child affected by the SEND crisis — those without a school place, on reduced timetables, or waiting for assessments and Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
Katie, a parent from Taunton, will lay down her son’s school shoes as part of the protest.
“My son’s shoes represent every SEND child who is left behind,” she says. “It’s a symbol of the children who suffer in schools where the support isn’t in place, and of the families who feel powerless against a system that often fails them.”
According to Somerset Council, there are now over 6,000 children and young people in the county with an EHCP — an increase of more than 45% since 2019. Families have reported waiting over 30 weeks for EHCP decisions, despite the legal 20-week deadline. The council has also acknowledged that special school places are full, with some children having to travel long distances for suitable provision.
Nationally, more than 600,000 children in England are identified as having special educational needs, with over 70,000 waiting for EHCPs.
Aimee Bradley, founder of The SEND Sanctuary UK, said “These shoes tell the stories of children who want to learn, play and be included. No child should be left behind because the system decided their needs were too complex or too inconvenient. This is about every child failed by broken promises and endless red tape.”
The Every Pair Tells a Story campaign follows the success of The Fight for Ordinary, a rally held in London earlier this year by The SEND Sanctuary UK and the Disabled Children’s Partnership. The event drew more than 800 parents and young people and was supported by Sir Ed Davey MP and Helen Hayes MP.
Families taking part in today’s demonstration are calling for urgent investment, accountability and inclusive education across all local authorities.
After the event, all donated shoes will be collected and given to local charities supporting children and families in need.