SEND matters
SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability) is a cause that is close to my heart.
Problems with accessing support have been raised by dozens of people on the doorstep and I know that the issue affects thousands of families in the Northfield constituency.
I was a SEND pupil. I have lifelong differences that affect the way I approach each day. Things weren’t always easy growing up. But I was fortunate at key moments to benefit from support and services.
The hard truth is that far too many families struggle to access the same assessments and support today.
The founders of S.E.N.D Socials Birmingham took the time to talk about their work yesterday. The not-for-profit, Community Interest Company was founded when parents made contact on Facebook six years ago.
Now the S.E.N.D Socials network provides an online space for families to share their story and advice. It also organises regular meetings and social events (including visits) for children and parents.
We spoke about some of the many problems in the current system, including:
Delays in securing assessments and Education, Health and Care Plans (some 40 per cent of applications for an EHCP are not responded to in Birmingham within the 20 week target)
The stress and exhaustion that that families and pupils experience when they are forced to fight for an ECHP in the first place, and then for it to be implemented
Families’ struggles to secure appropriate, full-time placements, which is forcing some parents and carers to reduce their working hours or drop out completely
Cuts to school transport services for older SEND pupils
Teacher training and general awareness of SEND, including sensory adjustments
Shortages of teaching assistants and speech and language therapists
The conflict between schools’ duties to make reasonable adjustments and some uniform, attendance, and disciplinary policies
The under-funding of SEN Support (the category that covers pupils who are identified as having additional learning needs but who do not have an EHCP) is also a serious concern.
If I am fortunate enough to be elected as MP then I want to be a local advocate for SEND. And if I was to secure one new national policy, it would be reform of SEND provision.
The current system is too confrontational, and money is not reaching those who need it. Children’s life chances hang on seemingly arbitrary decisions and delays.
There will be a lot more to say on this subject. But we can only start by listening to SEND pupils, adults, and their families.
I’m grateful to S.E.N.D Socials for taking the time to meet and explain their important work. I hope to meet other local groups in the weeks ahead.