Introduce new penalties for repeated breaches of SEND law
We call on the UK Government to introduce enforceable penalties where local authorities, schools, academy trusts and responsible bodies repeatedly breach their legal duties to children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Signatures
3,001
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 3,001/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 3,001/100,000
- 08 MAY 2026Petition opened for signaturesCreated by Rachel Noel
Background
Current systems, including the SEND Tribunal, mainly resolve individual disputes and do not hold public bodies accountable for repeated or systemic unlawful practice. Children and young people with SEND deserve a statutory accountability framework, including mandatory corrective action, financial penalties and Government intervention powers for continued breaches of SEND law.