But on Monday morning I raced to the front of Norfolk County Council’s headquarters to lay a pair of my son’s shoes alongside dozens of others.

Earlier that day, I’d already seen the photographs online of rows of small trainers, shiny black school shoes and even tiny wellies placed on steps outside.

And I was ready to place my own son’s black plimsoles. But you may be wondering why.

Each pair of footwear left that day represented a child who has been let down by the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system. Each one told a story of absence.

The event, Every Pair Tells a Story - organised by SEND Sanctuary UK and in partnership with Let Us Learn Too and Let’s Make a Difference - was a powerful display of grief and determination.

The Every Pair Tells a Story initiative (Image: SEND Sanctuary UK)

And families from across Norfolk and the UK, came together to make visible what has too long been ignored — the children who want to learn, play and belong but who are being failed by the very system meant to support them.

In typical SEND parent style, I missed the demonstration by about 20 minutes. As a mum-of-three - a........

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