Following pressure from Munira and local councillors, extra funding was secured from the Government for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Richmond borough. Although this is welcome funding, Munira has warned there is further to go.
Speaking in a debate in Parliament, Munira argued that the Government’s current review of SEND needs to overhaul how support is funded. Crucially, the best interests of every child must be at the heart of every decision, not concerns about who will fund what. She emphasised this was particularly important given school budgets are stretched due to Covid-19.
Munira also discussed the mental health of those children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities. Referencing the hardships suffered over the past year as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, she highlighted the importance of a holistic approach to tackle emotional and developmental progress, as well as academic.