01
Navigate
Clear, culturally responsive guidance that helps families understand SEND pathways, language and decisions.
AFRO SENDNETWORK CIC
Inclusive systems. Informed families. Every voice valued.
Belonging should never depend on a family’s ability to navigate complexity.
Afro SEND Network is building a more accessible and culturally responsive bridge between African and immigrant families, education, care and the institutions designed to support them.
Understanding creates access.
Access creates participation.
Participation creates change.
Access creates participation.
Participation creates change.
01 Why we exist
We make SEND systems more understandable, responsive and human.
Families should be able to understand their rights, contribute confidently to decisions and access support without language, cultural unfamiliarity or stigma becoming additional barriers.
We bring together lived family experience, specialist practice and community leadership to create practical routes into participation—and stronger insight for the organisations serving diverse communities.
02 Our emerging work
From information to influence.
Four connected areas shape a credible pathway from immediate family support to long-term institutional improvement.
02
Equip
Community education that builds confidence and challenges stigma around disability and neurodiversity.
03
Connect
Stronger relationships between families, schools, professionals and community support networks.
04
Influence
Family insight and practice evidence translated into better services, partnerships and institutional response.
03 Our principles
“Nothing meaningful changes until families are understood as partners—not recipients at the edge of the system.”
Dignity first
We centre the agency, safety and humanity of every child and family.
Evidence with context
We combine practical knowledge with research and cultural understanding.
With communities
We build alongside families and responsible institutions.
04 Research & insights
Practice-led ideas for a fairer SEND system.
Explore Bashir Abdulmalik’s open-access papers on SEND reform, assistive technology, culturally responsive practice, attendance distress, preparing for adulthood and communication rights.
Visit the Insights Library
Practice • Evidence • EquityFounder & Executive Director
Bashir Abdulmalik
Inclusive education practitioner, researcher and civic leader advancing culturally responsive SEND systems.
Bashir brings more than three years of frontline experience supporting learners aged 11–19 with complex autism, Down syndrome, and profound and multiple learning disabilities in a specialist UK local-authority school. His practice includes EHCP-informed provision, AAC, PODD, Makaton, Positive Behaviour Support and multidisciplinary working.
He founded Afro SEND Network CIC to help African and immigrant families understand SEND pathways, strengthen their voice in decision-making and contribute practical insight to institutional improvement. His work combines direct practice, community leadership and evidence-led advocacy, with a long-term commitment to inclusive-education reform in the UK and across Africa.
View Bashir’s professional profile Leadership and partnership enquiriesPartnerships
Better systems begin with better listening.
We welcome purposeful conversations with families, specialist schools, local authorities, researchers, funders, charities and community institutions committed to educational equity.
Complete our enquiry form