Norfolk Parents protest for better specialist education in Norwich
It's part of national campaign which aims to improve provision and support given to those with special educational needs and disabilities
Last updated 13th Oct 2023
Parents in Norfolk are taking their campaign for better specialist education to Norwich City Centre today.
It comes as part of a national campaign which is looking to improve the numbers of staff and schools that are able to give children the specialist help they need.
"Most Sen Children are treated as 2nd class citizens"
Jo McKenzie lives near Norwich:
"Most Sen Children are treated as 2nd class citizens, when that's not fair. They are just children with disabilities, that they never asked for. They shouldn't be treated this way."
She told us what she thinks will happen if things carry on as they are:
"They'll just left to be ignored, it's something they should never have to deal with. Education is a human-right- just because our children are disabled doesn't mean they should be stripped of that human right."
"I've had to change jobs to be able to look after my daughter"
Danny Fowler lives near Hoveton and told us how this is affecting his daughter Anastasia:
"She wants to be in school, she wants to learn and socialise with other kids- who are like her. But it seems she's not allowed, which is massively frustrating and depressing.
"I've had to change jobs, to be able to look after my daughter. I've know parents who are mentally and physically unwell, because they are so tired of fighting for everything."
What are local and national authorities doing to help?
Norfolk County Council yesterday pledged £100m towards special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
This will include the creation of 15 new school and community teams, aimed at helping schools and families whose children need some extra support with their education.
Cllr Penny Carpenter, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services at Norfolk County Council, said: “We’re excited to launch these new teams, who will be in place to support both parents and Norfolk’s schools, nurseries, pre-schools and childminders.
“They will be there to make sure the early help children need is in place, so that they can flourish in mainstream education alongside other children their age, wherever that is possible.
“We know that Norfolk’s schools and early years educators want to be inclusive and we want to give them and parents the help they need, so that children with SEND in our county can flourish.”
National Government:
The Department of Education say that that £2.6 billion has been set aside- between 2022 and 2025- to to fund new places and improve existing provision for children.