Disabled Children in the UK Struggle to Access Adequate Education
A survey conducted in England revealed the challenges faced by children with special educational needs. According to the research, two out of every five parents are forced to educate their disabled children at home due to the lack of suitable educational provisions or financial resources. Families fighting for the educational rights of their disabled children have to take legal action to have local authorities cover educational costs.
Of the 1,000 parents who participated in the survey, 46% reported that they struggled to obtain the necessary Education, Health, and Care (EHC) plan for their children, while 45% said they encountered difficulties in implementing the plan. The research also highlighted that approximately 200,000 disabled children in England are unable to receive the necessary support through EHC plans. Many parents stated that they had to leave their jobs because their children’s needs were not being met. Paul Whiteman, General Secretary of the school leaders’ union NAHT, expressed, “Parents should not have to face such a struggle just to get the support their children need.” Whiteman emphasized that schools work tirelessly to provide the right support but that investments in schools and specialist services have fallen short amid rapidly increasing demand over the past decade.
Local authorities have called for long-term reform, pointing out that the support system is facing a significant crisis due to rising costs and increasing needs. A spokesperson from the Department for Education stated, “For too long, children and young people with special educational needs have been let down by a system that doesn’t work, and parents too often find themselves fighting to get the support their children need, and more importantly, deserve.” The Department of Education announced that reforms to ensure that children with special educational needs receive the support they deserve have already begun, and they will act swiftly during this process.