ITV News focus on failing education system for disabled children

3 mins read

Thursday 25 July 2024

Tags: education, SEND system

ITV News is placing the spotlight on Special Educational Needs and disability (SEND) today, 25 July. It reveals the impact of a failing education system for disabled children across its news channels.

Research ITV carried out reveals that:

  • Nearly a third of parents (30%) have had to use the legal system to get their children the right provision
  • Over half of children (58%) with SEND have had to take time out of school. This is because their needs could not be met
  • Of the parents who used the legal system, 43% spent between £1,000 and £5,000. While nearly a third 29% spent between £5,000 and £50,000
  • The number of parents appealing over improper provisions is rising
  • Councils are spending millions fighting parents in the courts – only to lose most cases

Watch GMB interview with actor Sally Phillips who talks about the ITV findings and her own experiences. Plus coverage from Wales and Northern Ireland.

A broken system

In response, the Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson pledged that the new government would fix the “broken system. ” But warned change would not be quick. She went on to say:

“We will restore parents’ trust that their child will get the support they need in mainstream school, if that is the right place for them. And that there will always be a place in special schools for children with the most complex needs.”

Struggling to get their hands on vital support

Katie Ghose, from the Disabled Children’s Partnership said:.

“It mirrors our own research that families with disabled children are in a desperate situation – they are struggling to get their hands on support. This means their children are missing out on education and not getting access to the vital therapies they need to thrive,”

“The desperate situation of families with disabled children needs all the attention that we can give it. It’s good to see this new research but it’s shocking to see that half of parents are having to resort to lengthy legal battles to get the support that their disabled children needs.”

Families feel seen

Anna Bird, CEO of Contact said on X (Twitter):

“I really hope families feel seen today. There are some powerful messages in today’s coverage of failures of SEND support about the colossal waste of children’s talent and potential. Good and right that Bridget Phillipson MP response leads with the need to build trust and listen.”

ITV’s focus on education for children and young people with additional needs comes at the same time as a report commissioned by the Local Government Association and the County Councils Network which sets out recommendations for reforming the education system for children with special educational needs and includes some worrying proposals that would take away legal rights for disabled pupils.