Mar 25, 2024, BBC News: Leicestershire SEND cuts will derail daughter's future, mum says
E. Midlands
A mother fears proposed special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) cuts will derail her disabled teenage daughter's future.
Laura said Leicestershire County Council planned to reduce a £53,000 [$67K] package for her daughter Holly, 17, to attend mainstream school, to £26,000 [$33K]. . . .
The council declined to comment on the family's situation.
However, the authority said its priority was "making sure that families are supported in the best possible way".
"We're in a potentially devastating situation," said Laura, whose family live in the Vale of Belvoir.
"With the support she has in place, Holly has been thriving at school, but now all I can see is her dreams crumbling. . . .
Laura said she was told of the proposed cuts in January, following an annual review of her daughter's education, health and care (EHC) plan, which has been in place for six years.
The funding pays for therapists and personal assistants to help Holly at school.
She is autistic, has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), pathological demand avoidance (PDA) and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.
The county council says annual reviews sometimes lead to increased budgets
Laura said the cuts would mean Holly would lose support including physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, speech, language and occupational therapy and other vital daily assistance.
"Holly wouldn't last at school without it," said Laura. . . .
Laura added: "This is not me as a parent demanding support, her package is based on her being assessed by professionals who make recommendations based on her needs."
Laura claimed there were about 15 other Leicestershire families facing similar EHC cuts. . . .
"I have sympathy with the council and its financial position but it has a statutory duty to support young people with SEN and it's not doing that through these cuts." . . .
