Parents protest poor SEND support in Waltham Forest. They cite lack of school places and funding issues amidst rising costs.
The law requires councils to offer local services that meet families’ needs. However, parents say kids “slipped through the cracks.” They deserve an education, but can’t get it.
Claire Bithell spoke at a public event, citing under-commissioning as a problem. She also mentioned that long waits for therapy and staff turnover were hurting families, and the transport was “awful.” Bithell said initial diagnosis comes without help. Support isn’t there, even after years of waiting.
According to Bithell, the council talks about improvements, but kids still lack real support and bureaucracy wastes everyone’s time. She also criticized how the council handles EHCPs, plans that detail classroom support. Keeping kids at home harms everyone’s mental health, and these children want to attend school.
Kizzy Gardiner responded for the council, saying she takes concerns seriously. She admitted the council faces financial issues, with rising costs, especially for social care. Demand is also up for children with special needs.
The protest took place at the town hall and coincided with an Ofsted inspection. About thirty people attended, including kids out of school and members of both the Socialist Workers Party and the Liberal Democrat party. Children carried signs with messages like, “Why must we fight for our basic rights?” and “All children matter.”
Sheema Luca found a school for her son with ADHD, a private school she had to pay for, only after a stressful legal battle. She said other families lack the time or energy, as getting a lawyer is exhausting. Another parent said the system failed her autistic child, who attends a school for the visually impaired.
The parent also said special needs places for capable kids are scarce, explaining that she dealt with four case officers recently, which made her feel neglected and ignored.
Gardiner said they invested over £800,000 to support the SEND workforce, with the goal being to ensure that the service is effective. The council engages with a parent carer forum, giving parents a voice on the SEND board. The council encourages dialogue with service users and said it’s committed to providing the best services to kids with special needs.
Social care is a burden on the Labour council, with housing challenges presenting another large issue for Waltham Forest. Nation-wide financial struggles also impact the council.
Arran Angus spoke for the Liberal Democrats, saying blaming “Tory cuts” is not a good excuse anymore. He also said that too many families need lawyers to get help and kids are missing vital educational support.