Nearly two in five parents have been forced to educate their disabled child at home due to a lack of appropriate provision or funding, a recent survey has revealed. The poll, conducted on behalf of disability charity Sense, found that 33% of parents of disabled children had to seek tribunal intervention to secure funding for their child’s education. This lack of support has led to some parents sacrificing their careers to ensure their children’s needs are met, while others have had to deplete their children’s savings while fighting for the required support.
The survey, involving 1,001 parents and guardians of disabled children under 18 in the UK, highlighted that 46% struggled to establish an Education, Health, and Care (EHC) plan for their child, with a similar proportion (45%) facing challenges in implementing the agreed plan. Sense estimates that approximately 200,000 disabled children in England are encountering difficulties in accessing the necessary support through an EHC plan. These plans are crucial for identifying and addressing the educational, health, and social requirements of children and young people up to the age of 25 who need additional support beyond special educational needs services.
Among the survey respondents, 39% disclosed that they had resorted to educating their disabled child at home because of inadequate funding or suitable educational provisions. The charity is urging the Government to outline an improvement strategy for children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) in the upcoming Children’s Wellbeing Bill. Richard Kramer, chief executive of Sense, emphasized the “shocking realities” within the special educational needs system, stressing that every child has the right to access education to secure the best possible start in life.
The challenges faced by parents in securing EHC plans were vividly described by a mother from London, who opted to leave her job to support her son’s needs. She narrated the extensive process involved in obtaining the necessary assessments and evidence to address her child’s issues, highlighting the emotional and financial toll it took on her family. The mother expressed frustration with the EHC plan, citing its inadequacies and lack of clarity, which made it challenging to hold local authorities accountable for meeting her son’s genuine needs.
Education leaders and officials have acknowledged the inadequacies in the current system, with calls for urgent action to address the escalating concerns. School leaders’ union NAHT’s general secretary, Paul Whiteman, emphasised that it is unacceptable for parents to struggle to access essential support for their children or feel compelled to resort to home-schooling due to the system’s shortcomings. The Local Government Association echoed these sentiments, highlighting the need for long-term reform to enhance children’s lives and ensure the financial sustainability of services under pressure.
In response, a Department for Education spokesperson acknowledged the historical challenges faced by children with special educational needs and disabilities, pledging ongoing efforts to improve inclusivity and expertise within mainstream schools and enhance support in special schools. While acknowledging that there is no instant solution to these deep-rooted issues, the spokesperson assured swift action to guarantee that every child receives the necessary support to thrive.