Bedfordshire Parents Commend Cafe Support Group for Children with Special Educational Needs

Parents of children in Bedfordshire with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) have expressed appreciation for a support group established within a cafe setting. Rachel Lenton, who operates Marston Beans in Marston Moretaine and is herself a parent of a child with additional needs, stated her objective was to “listen to what people were going through” and to establish “a group where people can come and vent”. This collective offers assistance to families whose children are part of the SEND systems across both the Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire Council areas. Becki, one of the parents, whose son is seven years old and has ADHD, described the venue as the “only coffee shop she could bring her dysregulated child to” who is “literally climbing on the tables and throwing things and be told it was ok”. Becki further commented that “when you say something here, people just give you that knowing look and are not trying to solve your problems with answers all the time which can be upsetting”. The BBC reported that Central Bedfordshire Council has experienced an increase in the demand for SEND provision. Adam Zerny, the Independent Leader, informed the BBC that approximately 1.6 million children nationally require SEND provision, and “that’s increased by 100,000 in a year”. The local authority has inaugurated a new special needs block at Sandy Secondary School, and Mr. Zerny indicated that all provision options are being considered as the 2025/26 budget is prepared for agreement in February. Kayleigh, who has attended the group only twice, remarked that it was “really nice to come somewhere and feel like you are not being judged and you can say how rough your day has been”. Kristina, whose daughter does not yet have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP), noted that “everyone is on different parts of the journey so can offer support and advice”. Emma, a parent whose daughter attends a mainstream school with an autism provision, shared: “Everyone is just lovely and we chat and there is no judgement.” She additionally stated that “the group gets it and are there with you”. For news updates concerning Beds, Herts, and Bucks, information is available on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external sites. Further details on our approach to external linking are available.