Cornwall Parents Highlight “Battle” for Send Support at Summit

Families in Cornwall assert that the special educational needs and disabilities (Send) system requires urgent reform, stating that “every step is a battle.” Ben Maguire, the Member of Parliament for North Cornwall, convened a summit to gather experiences, which he plans to report to ministers in Westminster. Cornwall Council indicated that the demand for Send provision is rapidly increasing, coinciding with strained budgets. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson expressed her “determination to turn it around” but acknowledged that it “will take time.” Lisa Vosper’s son Charlie, aged 11, has a diagnosis of non-verbal autism and has been excluded from his primary school since January. She commented, “You can imagine how difficult that is as the main carer, a single parent and you are chasing and chasing for help all the time.” Charlie has received a few hours of support since the summer, which is soon to increase to five days a week; however, Ms. Vosper, from Bodmin, noted that there was “still no sign” of a school place. She stated, “Realistically they are saying maybe September next year which is not acceptable really.” She further added, “He needs specialised provision and there’s not enough schools or places in Cornwall and if you go into Devon I don’t think it’s any better.” Adrian Brown described the situation as “every step is a battle” after years of attempting to secure support for his 16-year-old daughter, Megan. He remarked, “You have to constantly fight and and as a parent understand all the documentation because the people you think will help you don’t – it feels as if they are actually against you.” Megan, who has a diagnosis of autism, is now attending a specialist maths school. Mr. Brown, residing near Launceston, mentioned that her academic ability made it even more challenging to obtain support. He observed, “There are so many signposting agencies that signpost you to another signposting agency and nobody seems to know what’s going on.” Mr. Brown added, “Everybody fights against each other without looking at the solution – councils, schools, parents, the government. If all these people could communicate properly things could move forward.” Cornwall Council reported that the demand for Send provision is rising both nationally and locally due to various factors, including difficulties in recruiting and retaining specialist staff such as educational psychologists. The authority projected an expenditure of nearly £85 million this year, an increase from approximately £72 million in the previous financial year. Between 2019 and 2023, the percentage of children in education receiving SEN support grew from 12.5% to more than 14%. The council also stated that it had invested in additional staff, including Send system navigators, who serve as the initial point of contact for families with Send children. Ben Maguire, the Liberal Democrat MP for North Cornwall, explained that he arranged the summit for the previous weekend because he was “shocked” by the number of people experiencing issues with the Send system during his General Election campaign. He asserted, “I’m not convinced throwing more and more money at this is going to solve the problem. This is a structural issue and until we start building the foundations and making sure the system works for everyone I don’t think we are going to solve this.” Phillipson affirmed her “determination to rebuild families’ confidence in a system so many rely on.” She further stated, “The reform families are crying out for will take time, but with a greater focus on mainstream provision and more early intervention, we will deliver the change that is so desperately needed.” BBC Cornwall can be found on X, Facebook, and Instagram. Story ideas can be sent to spotlight@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC does not assume responsibility for the content of external sites. Details concerning its approach to external linking are available.