(UK) Bournemouth: Parents of special needs children worried about SPED changes
- 12 minutes ago
- 2 min read
A PARENT and founder of a Bournemouth support group for families of children with special needs has said parents are worried about the future of their children following proposed changes to the SEND system.
On February 23, the Government announced reforms as part of its schools white paper, which have prompted discussion and concern among families and organisations supporting children with additional needs.
The paper sets out a decade-long vision to reform the education and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) systems in England.
Marion Burgess, founder of the Parent Carer Foundation and a parent carer, said the proposals have raised questions for many parents about what support will look like in the years ahead.
Marion said: "There were concerns even before it came out because it was expected last year.
“There was a survey where parents, carers and organisations were asked to go online and share their views. For many families, this is a very important issue.”
"Through our work, we hear daily from families who are struggling to access assessments, support and safe education, and the concerns in this letter reflect what they are telling us."
Marion said it is understandable that parents are anxious about the future when their child has additional needs.
“If you have a child with special educational needs or disabilities, that is what you think about – what is going to be there for them in the future,” she said.
“Education is really important and every child is entitled to an education.”
She said families frequently speak about long waiting times for assessments and challenges in securing the help children need in school.
Marion added: "Parents and carers here are asking urgent questions about how these reforms will work in practice.
"With services already stretched, there is real anxiety about whether early intervention can be delivered, whether the proposed Individual Support Plans will genuinely guarantee support, and how mainstream schools will cope with increased expectations when many are already at capacity."
Individual Support Plans ISPs is a new legal requirement for every child with SEND to have a personalised plan, aiming to provide support quickly without bureaucratic delays.
Marion said parents are raising concerns about the "long implementation timeline."
She added: "With changes not fully taking effect until around 2030, many children currently waiting for assessments or specialist input will see no benefit at all.
"Local families want to see transparency, accountability and meaningful investment reaching classrooms."
Comments