Getting it right for children with special education needs

Leena Hurloll writes in the Daily Echo (4th Feb) about the importance of support and specialist learning provision for children with special education needs.

Leena says: In Hampshire, we are lucky to boast a number of schools providing excellent learning and support to children with special education needs (SEN). We have a wide variety of schools, including 10 who work with children with the most severe and complex needs.

Indeed, one school in Farnborough was recently praised by Ofsted and given an ‘outstanding’ rating, for the steps it takes to provide the necessary care and support to students for their learning.

Yet sadly it’s thought over 50% of children with a statement of special educational needs are still being educated in mainstream schools, despite government research recommending dedicated teaching to improve performance.

It can be incredibly distressing for parents when their son or daughter’s education is in question and too many parents of children with learning difficulties feel they have to battle a complex system to get what their child needs.

We recently worked with a mother from Bedfordshire whose son has Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism. After being given a statement of special educational needs, and due to a lack of appropriate local provision, her son attended a residential secondary school. But problems started when the teenager was due to transfer into post-16 education.

The family sought our advice after delays from the local authority were threatening to prevent him from continuing in specialist education.

If a parent is unable to secure the specialist support their child needs, the effects can be devastating, and have lasting implications for their child’s development.

If the needs of a child are not met, then in some cases parents are even blamed for their child’s apparent ‘bad’ behavior, when it is actually a lack of appropriate provision.

Local authorities have a legal requirement to act within a set deadline and parents can appeal a decision if they feel it is wrong.

What is clear is that there needs to be greater transparency from local authorities, as the current system leaves many parents unsure of their options. If parents are concerned or unhappy about a decision that has made, then they should seek independent advice and see what their options really are.