Families from across Bedford will gather outside Borough Hall on Monday, 03 November, to highlight what they say is a continuing crisis in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) services.
The action is part of Every Pair Tells a Story, a national movement organised by The SEND Sanctuary UK, in partnership with Let Us Learn Too and Let’s Make a Difference.
Pairs of children’s shoes will be laid out on the forecourt at Borough Hall, Cauldwell Street, from 10:30am to 1:00pm.
Organisers say the display represents children who the education system has failed, including those missing from education, those without suitable support in mainstream settings, and families facing delays to Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
“These shoes tell the stories of children who want to learn, play and be included,” said Aimee Bradley, founder of The SEND Sanctuary UK.
“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.”
Local picture
Organisers say Bedford faces many of the same pressures seen nationally:
- More than 2,200 children and young people now have an EHCP in Bedford, up almost 50% since 2019.
- Families report waiting 25 weeks or longer for EHCP decisions, beyond the 20-week legal timeframe.
- Local specialist schools are full, with concerns over a shortage of appropriate places for children with complex needs.
- A recent Ofsted and CQC review identified gaps in early identification and delays in provision across the area.
These issues mirror national trends, with over 600,000 children identified as having special educational needs in England and more than 70,000 waiting for EHCPs, according to campaigners.
Events are planned in more than 70 locations across England on the same day, with families calling for urgent improvements to SEND provision and reforms that place lived experience at the centre of decision-making.
Universal symbol
“The government must listen to parents,” added Aimee. “We are not the problem. We are the evidence of the problem. Our children deserve more than words. They deserve real change, and they deserve it now.”
Shoes are a universal symbol. Organisers say empty pairs reflect children who should be in school but are not — including those on part-time timetables, experiencing school anxiety or awaiting support.
After the Bedford event, donated shoes will be given to local charities supporting children and families.
Members of the public are welcome to attend and may donate a pair of children’s shoes for the display, email sendsanctuaryuk@gmail.com or visit SEND Sanctuary UK.
