Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) often face immense challenges in attending school full time. They experience difficulties such as overwhelming sensations, autistic burn out, anxiety or other mental health issues. The parents of these children are knowledgeable about the detrimental effects that full school attendance can have on their children's wellbeing.

However, these unavoidable absences sadly, at times, are classified as unauthorised. This results in distressing repercussions for parents, with threats of penalties and even prosecutions from local authorities. This is a scenario too common across the United Kingdom.

The Children and Families Act 2014 obliges schools to make reasonable adjustments for disabled children. But this does not perfectly extend to flexible attendance arrangements for children with SEND. Consequently, it becomes a battle - parents trying to protect the mental health of their children versus avoiding legal allegations.

It is crucial for head teachers to be empowered to make these reasonable adjustments when requested by parents. If given the authority, these professionals can ensure that SEND children are not unfairly penalized. According to figures from Department of Education, in England, in 2019, at least 16% of total students have been identified with SEND - that's about 1.3 Million children, indicating a pressing necessity to address the issue.

Our aim is to help children with SEND get a fair chance at education without compromising their mental and emotional health. This petition is to urge relevant government bodies to reconsider this provision and allow head teachers to use their judgement in approving reasonable absences from school for children with SEND.

Your signature can make a significant difference. Stand with us to push for change. Please sign this petition.