Every Pair Tells a Story Campaign - RPCF Response
23rd October 2025
We are aware of the upcoming campaign and protest at Riverside House, where families plan to leave shoes as a symbol of their frustration with the current SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) system. We completely understand the strength of feeling behind this action and the deep concerns that many families are expressing.
As your local Parent Carer Forum, we want to acknowledge the challenges and frustrations that some SEND families in Rotherham are facing right now. The system is under immense pressure, and we know how difficult it can be for children, young people, and families trying to navigate the system and to access the right support at the right time.
Our primary aim is to represent your lived experiences and ensure they are heard by those who can make change happen locally, regionally, and nationally. Since consulting with our members back in March, we’ve been focusing on the priorities you identified, including:
- EHCPs (Education, Health and Care Plans)
- SEN support in schools
- SEND sufficiency (availability of suitable provision)
We are currently gathering your feedback around access to therapies and assessment waiting times, and we’ll soon be focusing on:
- Children, young people, and parent carer mental health and wellbeing
- Preparation for adulthood
- Clear and accessible information
These priorities are embedded in the SEND partnership board and action plan, ensuring your current experience is central to shaping services.
We also respond to emerging issues, such as the transport challenges many families experienced in September.
We believe that lasting change can only happen when we work together in equal partnership. We have strong working relationships with local services and are committed to making sure that your living experience is central to any plans for improvement across the SEND system.
We know things are far from perfect, but by continuing to share your experiences, we can work together in partnership to shape change for our children and young people.
We’d love to hear from SEND families in Rotherham. What matters most to you right now? Click here to have your say!
Thank you
RPCF – Voice & Influence team.
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