Another call for into county’s “shameful” services for children with special needs

A mother has made another desperate plea for an investigation into the county’s “shameful” services for children with special needs.

Elena Round, whose 18-year-old son Billy has complex needs, said that ‘incompetence, unlawfulness and malpractice’ were “happening right under our noses” at Worcestershire Children First, which runs children’s services on behalf of Worcestershire County Council, and repeated demands for an independent investigation.

She said many families were being let down by the county council because of a lack of specialist places for children and demanded answers on how many of the more than 4,600 legally binding education, health and care plans (EHCP) in Worcestershire were unlawful because they were not being respected.

Mrs Round has already made several calls for Worcestershire Children First to be investigated over its record of failings and treatment of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

“Many parents of children with additional needs do not by choice home educate their children, it’s because of a desperate need and because there are not enough specialist school and college places for their children to attend,” she said during a meeting at County Hall on July 14.

“The most vulnerable children are being denied vital support to enable them to thrive and are missing out on life chances because of malpractice,” she said

“It’s shameful.”

Elena’s son Billy, who struggles to carry out everyday tasks such as getting dressed, washing and eating, already had an EHCP before moving to Worcestershire in 2018 but was then unlawfully denied physical and occupational therapy by the county council.

“Astonishingly, Worcestershire Children First has no accurate data which tells us how many children are being forced to be home educated because of a lack of places,” she added.

“There is no data to advise how many relationships and marriages have broken up because families are fighting for their basic rights to education for their child.

“No data on how many parents and carers have had to leave their employment to care for their child at home because there is no school setting.

“No data which advises how many children are so afraid to attend school because the school setting cannot meet their needs.

“No data as to how many children are traumatised by being denied their right to an education.”

Councillor Tracey Onslow, cabinet member for education, said: “Making sure children across Worcestershire have access to an education that meets their individual needs and allows them to go on and reach their full potential is a top priority for us.

“As part of our accelerated action plan for improving our SEND service, we are reviewing the specialist provision currently available in the county, with the support of parent representatives to ensure their thoughts and feelings on how we can improve in this area are taken forward.

“We know that some of our parents feel that the best place for their child to be educated is at home. We understand what a significant commitment this is and the impact it has on both the parents and the children themselves.

“We are continuing to understand the reasons behind elective home education so we can ensure that families are well supported.”