Parents in England fear losing support for disabled children due to Send reforms

"Parents of disabled children fear that the government's reforms to special needs education in England could mean they lose vital support, according to a new survey that highlights the high stakes facing ministers. The poll of 1,000 parents of children with multiple complex needs including deaf-blind, autism and physical impairment, carried out for the disability charity Sense, found that half of the parents surveyed feel nervous about the upcoming reforms, and 45% said they were worried my child's support will be taken away in any changes."

"At the heart of the reforms will be how schools and local authorities fund and provide support for children with additional needs. Of particular concern is the future of education, health and care plans (EHCPs), the legal agreements between parents and local authorities that detail provision of support, backed by appeals to a dedicated Send tribunal. The Sense survey found that one in five parents said their child's school was not delivering the legally required support set out in their EHCP, while nearly half described the process of securing Send support as stressful."

"A shocking number of children are being failed by a baffling and underfunded Send system. Too many are falling through the cracks at the cost of their happiness, wellbeing and future life chances. So it's little surprise that parents feel deep anxiety and distrust about the upcoming education reforms. If their children's legal rights are weakened any further or there's an attempt to cut spending, the consequences could be devastating. Instead, the government must listen to families and use this moment to build a properly funded Send system, where childre"

A poll of 1,000 parents of children with multiple complex needs, conducted for the disability charity Sense, found widespread nervousness about upcoming reforms to special needs education. Half of respondents reported feeling nervous and 45% feared their child's support could be taken away. Proposed reforms focus on how schools and local authorities fund and provide support, with particular concern over the future of education, health and care plans (EHCPs) and associated tribunal appeals. One in five parents said schools were not delivering legally required EHCP support and nearly half described securing SEND support as stressful. Sense warns the system is underfunded and calls for properly funded SEND provision.

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