Parents and carers call for "real change" in SEND education system
Protests are taking place across the South West, including in Plymouth and Bath
Last updated 13th Oct 2023
Parents, carers and professional educators across the South West are calling on more support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Protests, organised by SEND Reform England, are taking place across the country, with demonstrations in Plymouth and Bath today (Friday 13 October).
Campaigners say current support is "inadequate" and several children are missing education completely due to needs not being met.
They are calling for a "real change" in the SEND education system, as well as the processing and issuing of Educational Health Care Plans (EHCP's).
Sarah Williams is the organiser of today's demo in Plymouth - representing Devon and Cornwall. She says trying to find a school for her daughter is a "challenge":
"We're going to make a stand for our children because we think it's about time we took their futures back.
"We're not going to stop until there is a total reform of SEND education and that doesn't mean we're going to carry on protesting - there's a lot more going on behind the scenes - and pushing as far as we can so our voices are heard."
It follows an organised protest outside of Parliament in June, with a petition calling for a reform of SEND education reaching over 87,000 signatures.
Sarah Morgan, from Gloucestershire, says her daughter has been given a place at a specialist school, but the 20 mile distance makes it "impossible" for her to attend:
"My child comes first, so it seems unfair that many parents out there want to work or they want to improve their education, but we're forced into a situation that we have no control over because our children don't have access to suitable education.
"We need our voices heard, so we're hoping that with us standing and sharing our experiences and the challenges that all of the different families face within this system, it will hopefully make the Government understand how much this system is affecting everybody and how much change needs to happen."
A Department for Education spokesperson said: "Councils are responsible for making sure there is appropriate education for all children in their area, including for children with special educational needs and disabilities.
"Our published SEND and AP improvement plan sets out how we will make sure all children with special needs and disabilities receive the support they need, with earlier intervention, consistent high standards and less bureaucracy.
"The Government's investment in the high need budget has risen by over 60% since 2019-20 to £10.5 billion, alongside investment of £2.6 billion in high needs capital over this Spending Review and doubling the number of special free school places to 19,000 once those in the pipeline are complete."