Weekly Update
Improving Support for Children with SEND in Enfield North
I know from chatting with constituents that the SEND system has not kept pace with the growing number of children needing additional support, often leading to delays and unnecessary stress.
So the Labour Government is now committed to transforming the system so that children can access the help they need earlier, and within their school wherever possible - without parents having to fight for it.
This means:
✔ More support available in local mainstream schools
✔ Better training for teachers and staff
✔ Faster access to specialist professionals
✔ A stronger focus on early intervention
Billions of pounds will be invested over the next three years to build this improved approach.
What Will Change?
A Three-Layer Support System
1️⃣ Universal Support
High-quality teaching and inclusive classroom practice for all children, backed by new funding and National Inclusion Standards.
2️⃣ Targeted & Targeted Plus
Evidence-based interventions and additional specialist input for children who need more tailored help.
3️⃣ Specialist Support
Children with the most complex needs will continue to receive EHCPs, strengthened by new Specialist Provision Packages to ensure consistent support.
Experts at Hand
A new Experts at Hand service will give schools quicker access to specialists such as speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, and educational psychologists - helping children receive support directly in school.
Individual Support Plans
Children receiving targeted or specialist support will have a digital Individual Support Plan, developed with parents, clearly setting out needs, provision, and outcomes.
Investment & Consultation
These reforms will be introduced gradually, supported by:
• £1.6bn for universal support
• £1.8bn for Experts at Hand
• £7bn additional SEND & schools funding by 2028-29
This public consultation will allow parents, young people, and professionals to share their views.
🔥 Bringing Down Bills for Enfield North Families
Energy bills have been too high for too long. That is why this week’s announcement matters: From April, the energy price cap will fall by 7%, cutting £117 from the annual bill of a typical household.
That reduction is happening because, at the Budget, the government removed an average £150 of costs from energy bills by asking those with the broadest shoulders to pay their fair share in tax.
That decision was opposed by the Conservatives and Reform. But without it, this cut would not be happening.
For many of the families who contact my office, £117 is not spare change. It is groceries for several weeks. It is the difference between clearing a debt and slipping further behind. It is a bit of breathing space after years of relentless pressure.
This is also on top of the expanded Warm Home Discount, which has meant nearly six million families are receiving £150 off their energy bills this winter. Constituents have told me directly that this support got them through the coldest months.
This drop in energy prices is welcome news. But we are clear there is more to do.
🛜 Making the Online World Safer for Children
Parents across Enfield North consistently tell me they are concerned about the pressures children face online - from addictive design features to harmful content and the rapid pace of technological change.
The Government is taking immediate action to strengthen protections and ensure the law keeps up with the digital world our children are growing up in.
Acting Faster to Protect Children
New powers will allow measures arising from the upcoming children’s digital wellbeing consultation to be implemented within months, rather than waiting years for new primary legislation.
These measures may include:
✔ Setting a minimum age for social media
✔ Restricting harmful features such as stranger pairing and live streaming
✔ Preventing children from being able to send or receive nude images
✔ Exploring safeguards around AI chatbots
Tackling Emerging Risks
The consultation will examine a range of important issues, including:
• Whether social media should be banned for under-16s
• Raising the digital age of consent
• Stronger enforcement of age verification rules
• Options to limit excessive or addictive use
• Protections relating to AI tools and VPN access
Supporting Families
Additional steps will strengthen protections for families facing the most devastating circumstances. Coroners will be required to notify Ofcom following a child’s death (where relevant), ensuring vital online data is preserved.
The Government is also closing loopholes to crack down on illegal and harmful AI-generated content, making clear that platforms and AI providers must meet their duties under the Online Safety Act.
Helping Parents Now
Alongside legislative changes, practical support is being rolled out through the “You Won’t Know Until You Ask” campaign, offering guidance for parents on:
✔ Safety settings
✔ Starting conversations with children
✔ Age-appropriate online advice
Have Your Say
A public consultation launches soon, giving parents, young people, and professionals the opportunity to share their experiences and views.
Because protecting children online requires not only strong laws, but listening to families.
On a connected note I also attended the Safer Internet Day event in Parliament, joining discussions on how we keep children and families safe online.
Online safety is being taken seriously - from stronger protections for young users, to better tools that help parents guide their children’s digital lives.
As highlighted at the event, practical steps like screen-time controls, supervised accounts, safer search settings, and digital literacy education all play a vital role in helping young people explore the online world safely and confidently.
Creating a safer internet isn’t just about technology - it’s about empowering families, supporting schools, and building the skills young people need to navigate the digital world responsibly.
❤️ Heart Valve Disease Awareness
I was extremely pleased to support Heart Valve Voice at the Annual Heart Valve Disease Early Detection, Testing and Awareness Event.
Heart valve disease is a common, serious but treatable condition, affecting around 1.5 million people aged over 65 in the UK. Too often, its symptoms - such as breathlessness, fatigue, or dizziness - are mistaken for normal signs of ageing, which can delay diagnosis and access to treatment.
Early detection is crucial and can be life-saving. Raising awareness helps ensure more people recognise the symptoms and seek medical advice sooner.
☕ Carterhatch Coffee Morning
Thank you to everyone who joined me at my recent Carterhatch Coffee Morning. It was a genuinely enjoyable and well-attended event, with residents raising a wide range of thoughtful questions and local issues.
These informal sessions are always a valuable opportunity to listen directly to constituents, discuss concerns, and offer advice or support where I can.
I was delighted to be joined by the Carterhatch Councillors, Susan Erbil and Nawshad Ali, whose ward insights and engagement were greatly appreciated.
Thank you again to all who came along and contributed to such a positive and constructive morning. Keep an eye on my social media for future coffee mornings.
🚨Update on Edmonton Police Station
You may recall that I wrote to the Mayor of London and the Metropolitan Police Commissioner to strongly oppose the proposed closure of Edmonton Police Station.
Following representations from myself and others - including the Leader of the Council - a compromise was reached. The station will now remain open, albeit with reduced hours.
While this is not the full outcome we had hoped for, I welcome the compromise that a public counter service will continue to operate in Enfield, ensuring residents still have access to face-to-face support when they need it.
The change begins this Tuesday 3 March 2026 as the Edmonton Station front counter will no longer be available 24/7 and will be changing to Monday to Friday, 10:00 – 22:00, and Saturday to Sunday, 09:00 – 19:00.
Alternatively, you can report an incident by:
Visiting the Met Police website
Calling the non-emergency number 101
For hearing or speech-impaired users, you can text 18000 to access our textphone service
If a crime is happening right now or if someone is in immediate danger, please call 999.
You can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form.
This week, I also met with the Deputy Mayor of London for Policing and Crime and The Enfield Borough Commander to discuss policing priorities across Enfield North.
During our meeting, I emphasised the importance of visible neighbourhood policing across Enfield North and continued to press for the development of new local police hubs to strengthen community safety and accessibility.
Local policing presence matters - it helps deter crime, builds trust, and ensures residents can engage directly with officers in their own neighbourhoods.
I will continue working closely with City Hall and the Metropolitan Police to advocate for the resources and infrastructure Enfield North needs, and I will keep residents updated as discussions progress.
🏐 Funding Opportunity for Local Sports Clubs in Enfield North
Finally, I thought I would share the news that the latest round of the British Gas Energy for Tomorrow Sports Fund is now open - offering a valuable opportunity for community sports clubs in Enfield North.
Delivered in partnership with Team GB and Paralympics GB, the programme helps grassroots clubs:
✔ Cut energy costs
✔ Reduce carbon emissions
✔ Invest in sustainable facility upgrades
British Gas has committed £1 million over five years to support clubs in becoming more energy efficient. Last year’s pilot helped unlock £141,000 in funding, supporting improvements such as:
• Solar panels
• Heat pumps
• LED lighting
• Insulation
This year, 12 clubs across the UK will receive support to decarbonise their facilities.
If you’re involved with a local Enfield North sports club that could benefit, I encourage you to explore this opportunity.
Have a great week!
Best wishes
Feryal