totalsurf was honoured to attend a reception at the House of Lords this week, joining Reading-based Dingley’s Promise in their vital mission to transform early years SEND provision across the UK.
The Early Years SEND Inclusion Reception, held on the historic terrace of the House of Lords, brought together parliamentarians, policymakers, and advocates to address the urgent challenges facing children with special educational needs and disabilities in their crucial early years. Click here to see a video.
totalsurf Director Chris Brown was personally invited by Catherine McLeod MBE, Chief Executive of Dingley’s Promise. Lord Brownlow of Shurlock Row, CVO, graciously hosted the event. Chris is pictured right, alongside Catherine and Stephen Morgan MP, the Minister for Early Education, highlighting the cross-sector collaboration essential to driving meaningful change.
The reception drew attention to a troubling truth. Despite the critical importance of early years education, the UK is currently failing children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their families during this foundational stage of development. This failure has far-reaching consequences, not only for individual children and their families, but also for society as a whole.
The statistics paint a stark picture. Coram’s Annual Childcare Survey in 2025 revealed that only 4% of local authority areas felt they had adequate early years provision for all children with SEND, a damning indictment of current provision levels.
Dingley’s Promise are dedicated to providing life-changing support to children under the age of five with special educational needs and disabilities, alongside their families. Through their innovative approach and unwavering commitment, they demonstrate what’s possible when children receive the support they deserve.
CEO Catherine McLeod MBE issued a compelling call to action to the assembled peers, MPs, and policy decision-makers. She challenged them to pledge their support for a comprehensive series of reforms that would create an early years sector where every child receives adequate support and care.
“Our vision is achievable,” Catherine declared. “We need to be brave and invest our resources differently, making greater long-term improvements for children, families, educators and the economy. Thank you for supporting us in our movement towards an inclusive early years, which ensures that positive change happens and that all children get the best start in life.”
totalsurf has been a long-time supporter of Dingley’s Promise. Speaking after the event, Director Chris Brown reflected on its profound impact. He said: “It was a huge privilege and honour to be invited to the terrace at the House of Lords. It’s not something you get to do on a daily basis, so it was quite an experience!
It was amazing to see the lobbying that Dingley’s are continuing to do, and when you see the impact of their work to help SEND children, it brings tears to your eyes. It really is vitally important to the future of our society that we are inclusive of everybody.”
The Reception at the House of Lords was a crucial step towards systemic change. By bringing together those with the power to influence policy and those with the expertise to guide it, events like these create the conditions necessary for meaningful reform.
The challenge now lies in translating these conversations into concrete action. The scale of transformation required is daunting. However, with organisations like Dingley’s Promise leading the charge and companies like totalsurf lending our support, there is genuine cause for optimism.
For more information on how you can join us in supporting Dingley’s Promise:
Visit: www.dingley.org.uk
Email: info@dingley.org.uk
Or call: 0118 327 7424
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