Olivia reveals that she has “desperately” hunted for a place in a specialized school for her son Stanley.
Challenges faced include children missing out on education, disrupted careers, and declining mental well-being.
Parents of children with special educational needs (SEND) express how they are grappling with a system overwhelmed by high demand, impacting their lives significantly.
Three mothers, Leeanne from Southampton, Alicia from Winchester, and Olivia from Didcot in Oxfordshire, share their experiences dealing with limited assistance in a report by BBC South Investigations.
This follows a 2023 BBC study that uncovered a situation where half of the state-funded schools in England catering to SEND students were oversubscribed.
The trio documented their daily struggles through video diaries to shed light on their reality.
‘I’ve faced physical harm and legal battles’
A mother from Southampton recounts the challenges of securing a place in a SEND school for her child
Leeanne describes her six-year-old son Albie as a cheerful and affectionate child on an ordinary day. However, for the past two years, he has been unable to attend a mainstream school.
Since 2022, Albie has been out of school due to feeling overwhelmed and incapable of enduring a full day in a regular classroom setting.
Despite halting his attendance on medical grounds, Leeanne has been advocating for a spot in a specialized school, a journey that involved navigating two tribunals.
While she eventually succeeded, the process took a toll on her well-being. Diagnosed with PTSD and anxiety, Leeanne had to give up her job to care for Albie full-time.
The stress from this ordeal even led to the breakdown of her marriage, making 2023 an exceptionally challenging year for her.
‘I’m losing myself in this battle’
A mother from Winchester questions the impact of sending her autistic son to a conventional school
Alicia, a mother of two from Winchester, shares a similar narrative. Her four-year-old son Loui was diagnosed with autism after his first year in a mainstream school.
The demands of constantly fetching Loui due to his discomfort in a typical classroom environment forced Alicia to abandon her career in telecommunications.
Loui’s sensitivity to overstimulation in standard settings resulted in school refusal episodes and daily meltdowns.
Basic activities like grocery shopping, medical appointments, and haircuts took a back seat as Alicia focused on preventing situations that could trigger her son’s distress.
‘Often, I find solace in sharing his bed’
A mother in Didcot expresses frustration over the lack of school options for her autistic child
Olivia recounts feeling deeply distressed and isolated recently after her five-year-old son Stanley missed out on a potential school placement.
Stanley, who battles autism, sensory processing disorder, and severe speech delays, was anticipating the transition from nursery to primary school in 2024.
However, due to his complex educational needs, no school has extended an offer to him, intensifying his anxiety about school and causing a reluctance to leave for nursery.
Despite relentless efforts to secure a school placement, Olivia finds herself grappling with feelings of inadequacy as her current caregiving duties prevent her from working.
‘Our efforts are tireless’
Local authorities acknowledge the concerns of families with special needs children regarding school placements and adequate support.
Councillor Steve Forster of Hampshire County Council emphasizes the strenuous efforts to tailor support to each child’s requirements. However, the escalating demand for additional assistance for children and young people has strained services significantly.
He underscores that the mounting pressure on services is a nationwide issue necessitating increased funding and legislative adjustments.
Alicia deliberates on the suitability of mainstream schooling for her child, given the challenges in securing spots in specialized schools.
A representative from the Department for Education highlights a 60% surge in funding for special and alternative provision places to £10.5bn in 2024.
They affirm every child’s right to education tailored to their needs and acknowledge the responsibility of councils to provide adequate support, while recognizing the need for further improvement.
An Ofsted inspection in September revealed enduring deficiencies in Oxfordshire’s SEND services, leading to a sense of helplessness among families.
Councillor Kate Gregory from Oxfordshire County Council stresses the ongoing improvement efforts and the commitment to effect substantial positive changes for families in need.
For more updates, follow BBC South on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Share your story ideas via email at [email protected].
Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
Beta Terms: By utilizing the Beta Site, you acknowledge and accept the associated risks, including potential bugs or errors. We retain the right to offer the Beta Site with or without charges for any duration, and using it does not establish an employment relationship. The Beta Site is provided “as is,” and we offer no warranties, whether express or implied.
In case of conflicts between these Beta Terms and the BBC Terms of Use, these Beta Terms take precedence.