Special needs support in Sheffield schools 'still in dire crisis'
Charities claim not enough's being done to improve SEN in the city
Last updated 21st Nov 2018
More than a year after the council promised change, we're hearing special needs support in Sheffield schools is still in "dire crisis".
Last September we told you about worries over exclusions and kids being refused support plans. Now charities say the problems are still growing in the city, depite a promise from the council to improve services.
Charities, parents, lawyers and academics are now forming a new group to monitor services in the city and across the UK.
Chrissie Meleady supports families of special needs kids - she's one of those whose set up the new group and says not enough's being done:
"From our perspective of working across the UK, Sheffield sadly is one of the most difficult and challenging places to be if you're a child with special educational needs. The issues have been escalating for some families. We have children who through that entire year haven't been back to school, children who have been promised schools we've had to fight for.
"A year is a long time in a child's life who's been out of school. And particularly for these children who can't catch up. If they miss a couple of months of education, let alone an entire year, and some of them have been out of school for years, they're never going to catch up. The impact on them as children has a legacy on them for later in life."
A lot of the complaints centre on something called a Education, Health and Care Plan which is a legal document setting out what support is needed for a child with special needs.
Parents say many kids are refused one, or have to wait months to be assessed.
Saphire Took's helped set up the new monitoring group - she says many kids are temporarily or permantely excluded for their behaviour so spend months, and even years, out of school while they wait for support:
"Lots of young people are having difficulties actually accessing one in the first place. They're being turned down and then when they do have it agreed to have one, the assessment process is taking far too long and it's not actually representative of the child and their needs.
"They're in a sense of limbo while they're waiting for the plans to be agreed and their provision to be allowed. They're missing out of their education, they're missing out on opportunities to socialise and learn social skills and then they're years behind their peers when they get to adulthood. So there's still a lot more to do for them to catch up."
A spokesperson for Sheffield City Council told us:
“Partners across the Sheffield area are working hard to ensure all children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities get the right support at the right time.
“We take all concerns seriously and encourage families and organisations to work with us as we drive forward improvement.
“Sheffield Council as a lead partner in the area would be happy for the SEN Monitoring Group to make contact should they wish to work with us."