Anya Sizer

Councillor Anya Sizer has demonstrated a consistent and evolving commitment to Hackney's children and families throughout her council service, with a pronounced and impactful focus on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and inclusion in recent years.

Key Themes and Priorities:

Sizer's core priorities have consistently revolved around the well-being and support of children and young people, with a particular emphasis on vulnerable groups. This includes a strong focus on:

• SEND and Inclusion: This has become her most prominent area of work, especially in the last few years. She champions improved training, support, and strategic planning for children with SEND and neurodiversity.
• Family Support and Early Years: Her work has frequently touched upon childcare provision, nursery fees, and the emotional health and well-being of children, particularly those in challenging circumstances.
• Community Empowerment and Localism: More recently, she has emphasized hyper-local empowerment and community-led initiatives.
• Civic Engagement and Governance: Sizer has also been involved in broader council functions, including licensing, planning, and serving in leadership roles like Deputy Speaker.

Evolution of Focus:

While Sizer's dedication to children's services has been a constant, her engagement with SEND has deepened significantly. Early in her service, her involvement with SEND was often declared as a personal interest as a parent. However, by 2024 and especially in 2025 and 2026, she has taken on more strategic and leadership roles, actively shaping policy and introducing new initiatives. Her focus has also broadened to encompass the emotional health and well-being of children more explicitly, moving beyond just service provision to a more holistic approach. The introduction of the 3-Year SEND and Inclusion Strategy in 2026 marks a significant escalation of her strategic influence in this area.

Most Significant Contributions (Especially in Recent Years):

Sizer's most impactful contributions are concentrated in the most recent years:

• 2026: Driving the SEND and Inclusion Strategy: As Deputy Cabinet Member, she was instrumental in introducing Hackney's 3-Year SEND and Inclusion Strategy in January. She framed this as a community project focused on hyper-local empowerment and the emotional health and wellbeing of children, positioning Hackney as a national leader in SEND. Her role in negotiating a settlement for a licensing appeal also highlights her practical problem-solving skills.
• 2025: Championing Families and Local Development: As Deputy Cabinet Member for Families, Early Years and SEND, she addressed critical issues like nursery fee increases, ensuring support for eligible families, and indicated advocacy for childcare funding. Her strong support for the Hoxton Regeneration Framework demonstrated her commitment to positive local development.
• 2024: Advocating for SEND and Care Leavers: Her consistent advocacy for improved SEND training and support, coupled with her scrutiny of support for care leavers, showcased a deep commitment to vulnerable children.

Patterns and Consistent Areas of Interest:

• Parental Perspective: Sizer has consistently declared her interest as a parent of a child with SEND, bringing a lived experience to her council work that informs her advocacy.
• Children and Young People Scrutiny Commission: She has been a regular and active participant in this commission, demonstrating a sustained interest in holding services accountable.
• Licensing Committee: Her involvement in the Licensing Committee, particularly in recent years, shows a practical engagement with local governance and dispute resolution.

In summary, Anya Sizer's council service has evolved from active participation to strategic leadership, with a clear and impactful trajectory towards championing SEND and inclusion, family support, and community empowerment, particularly evident in her significant contributions in 2025 and 2026.