Survey Reveals Disabled Children Lack Support

A recent survey conducted by the disability charity Sense reveals alarming shortcomings in the UK's special educational needs system, with 46% of parents of disabled children struggling to secure an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Nearly two in five parents have resorted to home education due to insufficient school placements or funding, while a third have faced the daunting process of taking local authorities to tribunal to obtain necessary support. The survey indicates that approximately 200,000 disabled children in England are not receiving adequate assistance, leading many parents to give up work or deplete savings in their fight for educational rights. Richard Kramer, chief executive of Sense, emphasized the urgent need for government intervention to ensure that every child can access the education they deserve. The findings highlight a critical gap between legal entitlements and actual provision, exacerbated by funding cuts to councils and educational services. Calls for an improvement plan in the forthcoming Children’s Wellbeing Bill are growing stronger in light of these challenges.