PROTEST FOR IMPROVED SPECIAL NEEDS

Parents gathered outside The Portal in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, on Tuesday to advocate for better support for children with special educational needs and disabilities. They expressed disappointment with Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC), claiming that the council is neglecting its legal obligations in providing necessary assistance.

Protesters highlighted issues of negligent communication and lack of respect from the CWAC Special Educational Needs (SEN) team towards parents. Kim Bilcliffe, the protest organizer, cited instances where urgent emails seeking help were ignored. According to Bilcliffe, the council is failing to meet the statutory 20-week deadline for producing Educational Health Care plans (EHCs) in 91% of cases in Cheshire West and Chester. The protesters are urging the SEN team to prioritize the needs of parents and children in their actions.

Laura Stimpson shared her challenges in securing a special school placement for her four-year-old son, which involved substantial financial costs and emotional strain. Another parent, Victoria Hallworth, described how the process of placing her son in a special school strained her marriage and led to therapy sessions.

The council acknowledges significant national challenges due to the increased requests for Education Health Care Needs Assessments and the greater demand for special school places than available. To address these issues, the council has committed to improving processes, communication channels, and resources within the SEN service to cope with the growing demand and strengthen the system. They emphasize their dedication to enhancing the SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) service in response to increased demand.