Lucy Powell Appointed as the New Education Secretary: What SEND Families Will Be Watching

Lucy Powell MP has been appointed as the new Secretary of State for Education, taking over from Bridget Phillipson.

The appointment was officially confirmed on 20 July 2026 as part of the Government’s latest Cabinet changes. Lucy Powell is also the MP for Manchester Central, making her appointment particularly significant for families, schools and organisations across Manchester.

What does the Education Secretary do?

The Secretary of State for Education is responsible for the work of the Department for Education. This includes:

• early years and childcare
• schools and the curriculum
• teacher recruitment and retention
• academies and school improvement
• further and higher education
• apprenticeships and skills
• children’s social care

These responsibilities have a direct impact on children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, from their early years through to school, college and preparation for adulthood.

Who is Lucy Powell?

Lucy Powell has served as the MP for Manchester Central and has previously held senior government positions, including Leader of the House of Commons and Lord President of the Council.

Her appointment means that a Manchester MP will now lead the government department responsible for education across England.

For local families, there may be hope that her knowledge of Manchester and its communities will help bring greater understanding of the pressures facing children, parents, schools and local authorities.

However, families will ultimately judge this appointment by the action that follows.

What will SEND families want to see?

The SEND system remains under considerable pressure. Too many families continue to experience lengthy delays, inconsistent support and repeated battles to secure provision that should already be available.

Families will be looking to the new Education Secretary for meaningful action in several key areas.

Earlier identification and support

Children should not have to reach crisis point before their needs are recognised. Schools and early years settings need sufficient staffing, training and resources to identify needs and put appropriate support in place promptly.

A fair and lawful EHCP system

Families continue to report delays in EHC needs assessments, poorly written plans, missed statutory deadlines and provision that is not delivered.

An Education, Health and Care Plan must be more than a document. It must clearly describe the child’s needs, specify the provision required and be properly implemented.

Genuine inclusion

Inclusion should not simply mean placing a child in a mainstream classroom without the support, environment or specialist knowledge they need.

True inclusion means that children are understood, supported, able to participate and made to feel that they belong.

For some children, a specialist placement will be the right and necessary provision. Inclusion and specialist education should not be treated as opposing ideas. The focus must remain on the individual child and the setting in which they can learn, feel safe and thrive.

Greater accountability

Parents should not have to repeatedly complain, seek mediation or appeal to the SEND Tribunal simply to secure assessments, provision or placements.

Schools, local authorities and health services must be properly accountable when they fail to carry out their duties or deliver the support set out in a child’s plan.

Better support beyond school

Young people with SEND also need clear pathways into further education, training, employment, independent living and adult services.

Preparation for adulthood should begin early and should reflect each young person’s strengths, communication needs, aspirations and support requirements.

Listening to families

Any future SEND changes must be shaped with children, young people and families—not simply presented to them after decisions have already been made.

Parents and carers hold extensive knowledge about their children and about the realities of navigating education, health and social care systems. Their experiences should be treated as evidence, not dismissed as anecdotal or overly emotional.

A Manchester voice at the Department for Education

Lucy Powell’s connection to Manchester may offer an important opportunity to bring the experiences of local families into national decision-making.

Manchester has many dedicated schools, professionals, parent-carer groups and community organisations working to improve support. However, families continue to face significant challenges, including delays, placement shortages, reduced timetables, attendance difficulties and struggles to access specialist services.

We hope the new Education Secretary will engage meaningfully with families and organisations on the ground and recognise that SEND reform must lead to practical improvements—not simply new language, new guidance or changes that make existing rights more difficult to access.

The NLH view

At Neurodiversity Learning Hub, we welcome any opportunity to improve the education system for children and young people with SEND.

We believe families need:

• earlier and more consistent support
• clear and specific EHCP provision
• suitable placements based on individual needs
• properly funded and trained education settings
• joined-up education, health and social care services
• genuine accountability when duties are not fulfilled
• a system that works with families rather than against them

A change in leadership can bring renewed attention and opportunity. However, SEND families have heard many promises before.

The real test will be whether children and young people receive the right support, in the right setting, at the right time—without their families having to fight at every stage.

NLH will continue to monitor developments, share accessible information and advocate for a SEND system in which every child is understood, supported and given the opportunity to thrive.

Neurodiversity Learning Hub
Educate. Advocate. Navigate.

Supporting families with practical SEND information, guidance and advocacy.

This article was published on 23 July 2026 and reflects information available at the time of publication.