Parents Protest for Improved SEND System
Approximately 40 families rallied in Castle Square, Lincoln, pushing for reforms in the current Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) system for children. Among them, were Hayley and Phil Roberts, the parents of a five-year-old son with non-verbal autism, Pica, sensory processing disorder, and a suspected case of avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID).
A Tough Journey for Admission
The Roberts couple revealed their struggle to secure a place for their son, Ronnie, in a SEND school, expressing that "nobody helped us" until he was finally admitted into a specialist school near four weeks ago.
"We don’t know what the future holds for him, we just have to take it day by day. Hopefully, speech will eventually come," Hayley remarked.
They cited their disagreement with a specialist school that initially refused Ronnie's admission due to his complex needs. This rejection led Lincolnshire County Council to suggest a mainstream school for Ronnie, a decision that Hayley candidly criticised.
Frustration Over SEND System
In her critique of the SEND system, Hayley stated: "So you’re telling me that a specialist school doesn’t know if they can meet his sensory needs but a mainstream school can? That makes no sense. The couple further expressed their apprehension about the common practice of placing children with special needs in mainstream education.
Rally for Rights
Other parents at the rally echoed similar worries. Julie Heron, mum to an eight-year-old with autism and sensory issues, highlighted her concern over local authorities' lack of compliance with legislation and rules.
Pointing out her aim of moving her daughter into a SEND school, she emphasized, "We’re out here because, while this is a national issue, from a local point of view, the system is plain and simply set up under legislation and law, but the local authorities are failing to follow it."
Heron further detailed her daughter's psychological struggles within mainstream education, citing incidents of self-harming and night terrors.
Community Action for Change
Protest leader Corinne Bryan, mother of two autistic children, called for more Education, Health and Care Plans (EHPCs), more SEND schools, and greater understanding among mainstream teachers. "Listen to these stories and make changes," Bryan implored.
Despite the frustration expressed at the protest, Lincolnshire County Council's head of SEND, Sheridan Dodsworth, stated that the council is dedicating £100 million to enhance Lincolnshire's special schools and increase the number of available places by 500. Dodsworth assured that the government is working to "ensure children get the right support, in the right place, at the right time".