"Families gathered outside Kingston Council's headquarters this morning to highlight the immense difficulties they face due to a lack of specialist places and support for their children in Kingston and Richmond. The councils provide SEND services through Achieving for Children (AfC), which SEND Sanctuary said has faced ongoing challenges in meeting its statutory duties. Parents told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) their children were struggling in unsuitable mainstream schools, missing out on vital support due to funding cuts"
"Georgie Cook's 12-year-old daughter has missed school for more than a year because her EHCP is not fit for purpose. She is waiting for a specialist place to become available, but has been told this is likely to take another 18 months to two years."
Families in Kingston and Richmond face endless battles to secure appropriate support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Thousands of children lack school places, are on part-time timetables, or wait months to years for education, health and care plans (EHCPs). Local SEND services are provided by Achieving for Children (AfC), which has struggled to meet statutory duties. Protesters placed pairs of shoes outside council headquarters to represent children left without provision. The lack of specialist places and funding cuts has forced some children into unsuitable mainstream schools, missed education, and severe mental-health impacts, including suicidality.
Read at www.standard.co.uk
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