Overview
- Coordinated protests under the banner Every Pair Tells a Story took place outside council buildings across England, with local reports citing roughly 70 to 97 events and some activity in Scotland.
- The pairs of children’s shoes symbolised youngsters who campaigners say have been denied education or adequate support through delays, unsuitable placements or exclusion.
- Families and local organisers reported routine breaches of the 20‑week legal deadline for EHCP decisions, with many waits of 25–35 weeks or longer, alongside figures cited of more than 600,000 children identified with SEND and over 70,000 awaiting plans.
- Parents described too few specialist places leading to part‑time timetables, home education or months and years out of school, with examples highlighted in Dudley, Kingston and Richmond, BCP and other areas.
- The Department for Education pointed to more than 100 listening sessions and £740 million to create specialist places, while councils acknowledged shortfalls and pressures, as the government’s SEND white paper is now expected in 2026.