A mother of a child with special educational needs and disabilities has described her family's struggle to secure support as "horrific," revealing she was compelled to relinquish her employment to care for her son amid systemic failures.
Survey Reveals Deep Parental Concerns Over SEND Reforms
New research from the disability charity Sense indicates that parents of children with SEND are increasingly apprehensive about potential reductions in support as the government prepares to overhaul the system. The forthcoming Schools White Paper is anticipated to outline these reforms early this year.
Currently, children requiring additional assistance in educational settings access support through the SEND framework, with families applying for an Education, Health and Care plan. However, the dramatic increase in EHCPs has placed considerable financial strain on local authorities, prompting some to advocate for legislative changes that would concentrate these plans solely on cases of the highest need.
"I Had to Give Up My Job": A Mother's Personal Struggle
Kimberly Hind, mother to five-year-old Harvey who is deaf-blind, endured a wait of over a year for her son's EHCP to be finalised. During this protracted delay, Harvey lost his place at a specialist school and faced significant difficulties at a mainstream nursery that lacked the resources to accommodate his complex needs.
"He was getting extremely distressed about going into nursery," Mrs Hind explained. The situation became so untenable that she was forced to resign from her position to provide full-time care, leaving the family of five dependent solely on her husband's income and her carer's allowance.
Harvey eventually received his final EHCP in February and commenced attendance at a special school in September 2025. Reflecting on the ordeal, Kimberly described it as "horrific" and expressed profound scepticism about the proposed systemic changes.
Widespread Anxiety and Distrust Among SEND Families
The Sense survey uncovered significant unease among affected families. Nearly half of the parents polled (47 per cent) fear that the impending reforms will result in diminished support for their children. Furthermore, half (50 per cent) reported feeling nervous about the changes, and 48 per cent found the process of obtaining current support to be highly stressful.
"I don't feel confident at all about how the education system might change for disabled children – and this is from actual experience; it's not just an opinion," Mrs Hind stated. She highlighted persistent issues with local authorities, noting, "You can change anything by law but the local authorities still won't follow it. They don't have the staff, the funding or the training."
She voiced additional concerns about potential funding cuts, remarking, "I'm nervous there might even be funding cuts. It is very worrying. I'm just relying on Harvey's school to save him and make sure that, whatever happens, he keeps getting the educational support he needs."
Systemic Failures and the Critical Importance of Early Intervention
Mrs Hind emphasised the long-term consequences of inadequate support during crucial developmental stages. "I think those early years of education are so important and if disabled children with complex needs miss out on them it has an impact for a very, very long time, if not forever," she said.
These concerns are echoed by broader research. A SEND task force established by the Institute for Public Policy Research found that in 2024, one in fourteen young people waited longer than a year to receive an EHCP.
James Watson-O'Neill, chief executive of Sense, commented: "A shocking number of children are being failed by a baffling and underfunded SEND system. Too many are falling through the cracks – at the cost of their happiness, wellbeing and future life chances."
He added, "So it's little surprise that parents feel deep anxiety and distrust about the upcoming education reforms. If their children's legal rights are weakened any further or there's an attempt to cut spending, the consequences could be devastating."
Government Response and Commitments
In response to these concerns, Education Minister Georgia Gould has previously affirmed that "there will always be a legal right to additional support" for young people with SEND.
A Department for Education spokesperson stated: "Through our national conversation, we've heard from so many families who have been failed by the SEND system - with parents fighting for support and rising demand meaning children's needs are spiralling to crisis point."
"Our reforms will restore parents' trust by fixing what isn't working in the system. We're ending the postcode lottery by strengthening support for those who need it and protecting parents' rights – shaped directly by the views and experiences of those who know the system best."
The spokesperson outlined specific investments, including "£200 million to train all teachers on SEND and at least £3 billion to create 50,000 new specialist places," aiming to establish "an inclusive education system where children are supported at the earliest stage and can thrive in a school that meets their needs, close to home."
