It can feel like good news is hard to find these days, but here is something worth celebrating!
The Save SEND Legal Rights petition started by teenage autistic campaigner, Tee-Jay, has smashed through the 100,000-signature finish line to secure a Parliamentary debate! On hearing the news, Tee-Jay was overwhelmed, and reminded everyone: “This is not politics, these are lives”
CONGRATULATIONS TO TEE-JAY
Tee-Jay beat us to the punch with getting his petition approved. SOCR also had one being considered by the parliamentary committee, but when he got in touch with us, we immediately saw the power of getting behind a petition started by a young person with SEND. And so withdrew ours to team up with Tee-Jay, helping him to push the petition all the way.
Congratulations to Tee-Jay, who has never wavered in his determination to make his voice heard. Supported by his mum, he has worked hard to keep going, even when it was slow going, and even though he had a busy school schedule.
“This is not politics, these are lives”
Tee-Jay
A TEAM EFFORT
But 100,000 signatures aren’t achieved by one person alone. The success has IS because people across the country gave their time, energy and voice.
Driven largely by the efforts on social media of our Save Our Children’s Rights membership, local teams came together and showed the strength of the SEND community. People who want every single person in society can achieve also handed out flyers in their local area, put posters in windows and shops, knocked on doors, made videos, shared posts, and talked to friends, families and strangers.
This is what happens when people come together. 100,000 people signed because thousands of people cared enough to spread the word and ask others to add their voice.
WHAT IT MEANS
Passing this significant milestone means Tee-Jay has won a debate in Parliament on the issue and he and his mum will be invited to watch from the public gallery in Westminster Hall. Some of our team will join him too. Last September, for the first debate we worked to secure, more than 90 MPs attended to speak. It led to a pause of the publication of the White Paper and the rather odd “SEND Conversation” that was more of a broadcast.
Back then, we didn’t know what the Schools’ White Paper’s SEND proposals would hold. Now we do, and the stakes are existential for 20 rights of disabled children and young people. The DfE knows the strength of opposition of families and campaigners, and we have yet to see if and how this will impact their upcoming legislative Bill. The debate that will now follow this petition is a chance to move the needle.
When the date is announced, we hope you will help us get the word and ask your MP to attend and make their voice heard, so stand by!
A MASSIVE THANK YOU!
To every person who shared the petition, put up a poster, had a conversation or encouraged someone to sign, it all mattered. This milestone belongs to every one of you.
Thank you for giving your time, your energy and your voice. Please keep signing and sharing the petition to show how much we care about the legal rights of children and young people.
From SOCR, we want to thank our community of volunteers for sharing, for getting out there with the flyers and making a noise–there are too many to mention individually, but we are grateful to you all. We also want to give a special shout out to some members of our team who went above and beyond to help reach this milestone.
SNJ got the ball rolling, in April, and Gill in particular has consistently shared the petition, including creating videos. In the late summer lull, Helen and Jesika stepped up and spent many hours creating the regional signing compo, regular social media posting, and Rosie the dog’s petition journey, capturing imaginations and the competitive spirit of regional groups. And thanks to Rachel for her videos and for influencer outreach. Everyone, whether named or not, has pushed themselves beyond comfort zones, even learning new skills, to pitch in. All while caring for their own children and young people with SEND.
We need you to keep going— our last petition passed 132,000 before the closing date. This one only has a few more weeks to go. Let’s see what we can do!
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