Siarad/Speak

Who we are

Siarad/Speak is a parent-led collective supporting families navigating Additional Learning Needs. We bring people together to share knowledge, champion lived experiences, and advocate for lasting change.

What we do

We host coffee mornings and other social engagement, create practical resources, and collaborate with local partners to ensure every child and family is heard.

Why we started

As a parents to a child with ALN needs we faced so many issues in getting support for your child.

This lead to us having to fight the local authority to get our child basic access to the provisions she needs to be able to access education.

This fight lead to our child being given panel meetings that we were not informed about, that we couldn't provide evidence to until they rejected our case.

Through this process we found that the system was very flawed and that without change this system is stacked against children with ALN needs.

We are still fighting for our child, but we want to bring parents to gather who are fighting for their children so we can be one voice, so that we can call for change to ensure the best for our children.

Our mission

At Siarad/Speak, our aim is simple: we want the IDP (Individual Development Plan) system to work for our children.

We believe every IDP should be written by qualified education specialists and consistently overseen by the local authority, ensuring accountability and quality at every stage. Every child with ALN (Additional Learning Needs) deserves the same opportunities in education as their peers, without delay or disparity.

We are committed to ending the reality where parents are forced to fight for years to secure the educational provision their children are legally entitled to. Educational panels should be led by experienced educators, operate transparently, and provide regular, clear updates so parents are informed, supported, and empowered to advocate for their children.

We call for improved ALN funding within schools, better access to specialist provision for those who need it, and stronger training and ongoing support from local authorities. ALN staff must be given the tools, resources, and confidence to meet children's needs effectively and consistently.

Get involved

Join a coffee morning or drop-in centre, volunteer your time, or share resources with other parents and carers. Every voice strengthens the network.

Stay connected

Reach out to learn about upcoming sessions and community updates. We’d love to hear from you.