(UK) BCP: Parents at 'breaking point' over wait times for special needs assessment
Parents have said they are "at breaking point" as they battle lengthy delays and poor communication while trying to secure support for children with special educational needs.
Families across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole have raised concerns over BCP Council's handling of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), which outline the educational, health and social needs of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Many parents say they are spending thousands of pounds on private assessments and therapies while facing long waits for support.
Leon, whose daughter has autism and is currently going through the SEND process, said: "We were told we were overreacting and we should let kids be kids.
"We kept getting pointed to parenting courses.
"Every avenue we went down we were getting turned away or barriers were being put up."
He described the process as "frustrating" and said his family felt it was "at breaking point", adding they often only received information after "chasing for weeks if not months".
Leon said the family has spent £2,500 on diagnosis, £1,000 on an occupational therapy report, £800 on an educational psychologist report and £52 per week on speech and language therapy.
She said: "When she got to school she was really struggling so needed an EHCP.
"We were then forced to put her into a school that wasn't appropriate.
"It took us a year to battle the local authority and get her out of the school and we got threatened with prosecution."
Charli said the family had an offer from a special school but the council refused to fund it, leaving Summer unable to attend any school.
She said: "All she wants to do is go to school and she can't.
"It's heart-breaking.
"She is just a number to them."
She also criticised the council's communication and said she later discovered required consultations had not been sent to potential schools despite being told they had.
Charli added: "I am exhausted from fighting and being bullied into accepting what the council is forcing on us.
"The council is spending thousands of pounds fighting parents when they should be funding vulnerable children."
She said she has spent £3,500 on a private autism assessment, £1,000 on a SEND advocate and was forced to give up her job to support Summer.
Zenna Simpson, who has two children with special educational needs, said families are regularly left struggling to access support.
She said: "You just get passed from one person to another."
Zenna said she paid for private assessments and medication because the family was not receiving the help they needed.
She said: "Without me paying for diagnosis they would have no support."
The costs included £1,600 for an educational psychologist report, £1,000 for an ADHD assessment, £1,500 for an autism assessment and £500 a month for medication per child.
She added: "It is absolutely ridiculous. I am not fighting for my son to leave school as Einstein. I am fighting for him to be able to go to school and get support.
"It's a constant battle."
One anonymous parent said the family was left without any meaningful support for months and later discovered an outdated EHCP had been sent to schools during consultations.
They said: "They have completely messed up my child's education and future. It's unacceptable.
"It has been a hard journey and you feel like you are continually fighting."
Cllr Richard Burton, BCP Council cabinet member for children, young people, education and skills, said: "We understand that parents want the best for their children – and we do too.
"We are sorry that too many are waiting longer than they should for support.
"Demand for SEND services has increased significantly nationally, outstripping government funding and creating challenges for councils across the country.
"Families need to see progress, and we are committed to reducing delays and ensuring children and young people get the right support as quickly as possible."
He added that the council had continued to develop and improve its service, listened to families and increased capacity, including using external resources where appropriate.
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