Your incisive and probing article (“The SEN cliff edge”, 12 October) exposes flaws in the government’s proposals for supporting the life plans (careers) of those with special educational needs or learning difficulties andor disabilities. It never ceases to amaze me that parents and carers do not insist on their rights to have continuing education post-16 and that local authorities define away their obligations for these deserving and marginalised learners. What is required is new laws to support these learners - and enforcement of them. Without strident enforcement we will still have the illusion of choice and limited opportunities often based on a postcode lottery.

Len Parkyn, Special educational needs teacher with 34 years’ experience.