The Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) has welcomed the Government’s consultation on proposed reforms to the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system, while urging policymakers to formally recognise specialist community-based provision as a core partner in delivery.
As one of the UK’s leading equestrian charities supporting disabled children and adults, RDA works directly with families, schools and local communities. The organisation supports 39,000 disabled people each year, 70% of whom are children and young people, many with multiple and complex needs.
However, demand continues to outstrip capacity. Nearly 4,000 people are currently on RDA waiting lists, and 71% of RDA groups report that demand exceeds what they are able to provide.
Community provision supporting education
Across the UK, almost 450 RDA groups and centres — 341 of them in England — deliver activities including riding, carriage driving and equine-assisted sessions. Around 69% provide direct services to schools, complementing classroom-based SEND support.
Sessions are designed to be safe, structured and inclusive, offering children opportunities to develop confidence, independence and resilience in a non-clinical setting. RDA says these experiences often unlock progress not seen elsewhere, with benefits transferring back into school life.
RDA’s own impact reporting shows measurable outcomes:
- 71% of children feel calmer and more settled, including at school
- Improved resilience, patience and self-esteem
- Better communication and social interaction
- Greater readiness to engage in classroom learning
“The confidence the children build at RDA translates to school — they are different children,” said one headteacher whose pupils attend sessions.
Reflecting the complexity of need
RDA has also highlighted the importance of ensuring that any new SEND categories introduced through reform reflect the real-world complexity of children’s needs.
Participants include children with physical, sensory and learning disabilities, as well as neurodivergent young people. Almost two-thirds (65%) have more than one condition, and RDA reports increasing numbers of children who are autistic or have ADHD — demonstrating that needs rarely sit neatly within a single category.
A call for formal recognition
Michael Bishop, Chief Executive of RDA UK, said:
“RDA groups are rooted in their communities, and every day we see the difference activity-based learning makes — helping children build confidence, independence and focus that translates into school and family life. The unique combination of horses and a supportive, inclusive community unlock progress that children cannot experience elsewhere. Demand for our activities already exceeds capacity, and without sustained support too many children will miss out.”
RDA is urging the Government to ensure that specialist community-based organisations are explicitly recognised within future SEND policy decisions.
The charity says that by supporting providers already embedded within local communities and working in partnership with schools, more children will be able to access proven, effective SEND support — helping them thrive both in education and beyond.