A mother in North West England, Kimberly Hind, shared her struggles in obtaining specialized assistance for her deafblind child after a lengthy battle. Despite anticipated system reforms, Kimberly remains skeptical about their effectiveness.
Her five-year-old son, Harvey, with limited vision and reliant on bilateral cochlear implants, faced distress in a mainstream nursery due to delays in acquiring an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP). Kimberly expressed concerns that resource constraints within local authorities could hinder the implementation of any reforms, emphasizing the critical need for adequate staff, funding, and training.
Harvey endured significant challenges during the EHCP process, resulting in his displacement from a specialized pre-school to a mainstream nursery where he faced severe difficulties. Kimberly recounted the distressing ordeal, highlighting Harvey’s anxiety, self-harming behavior, and aversion to interacting with other children.
Harvey’s eventual placement in a special school brought positive changes, with Kimberly noting his improved cognitive development and overall contentment. However, the lasting impact of his previous traumatic experiences is evident in his apprehension towards interacting with peers.
Research findings by disability charity Sense revealed that many parents of disabled children with complex needs expressed apprehension over potential reforms to the special educational needs system, fearing a reduction in vital support services. The study highlighted recurring challenges faced by parents, including delays, inconsistent decisions, and financial burdens associated with obtaining support.
The survey conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Sense involved 1,000 UK respondents who are parents or carers of disabled children with complex needs. It underscored the significant stress parents face during the process of securing special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support, with a substantial number reporting inadequate school support, work disruptions, and employment departures due to the lack of appropriate assistance.
The Government’s forthcoming plans to revamp the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system aim to address these pressing issues raised by Sense’s research, with a focus on engaging parents to improve system efficiency and support provision.
