Moving from South Devon to Crawley due to my job was supposed to be a fresh start for our family. However, it has turned into a distressing ordeal for my son, who has cerebral palsy. Despite having an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) in place and submitting all necessary documentation in a timely manner to the West Sussex education team and the SENAT team, my son did not start school as scheduled. This is not just our struggle; it's a situation that many families face.

Every child, regardless of their circumstances, deserves the right to uninterrupted education. When parents are compelled to move due to work commitments, their children's education should not suffer. The transition of EHCPs between councils, from Torbay to West Sussex in our case, should be seamless. Instead, the bureaucratic hurdles have led to unnecessary delays and stress for families like ours and, more importantly, for the children who are forced to wait for an education they are entitled to.

According to the Department for Education in the UK, an EHCP should ensure the educational, health, and social needs of children with special educational needs are met. The objective is to provide the same educational opportunities to all children, including those who need additional support due to disabilities. When systems fail to ensure timely school enrollment, they fall short of this promise and allow vulnerable children to fall between the cracks.

It's crucial for councils to streamline their processes and improve coordination between departments to prevent delays in school enrollment. This includes better resource allocation, setting clear timelines for processing transitions, and maintaining a robust communication channel with parents. Additionally, there needs to be a mechanism to monitor these processes and hold councils accountable when they fail to deliver on time.

I'm urging the West Sussex County Council and the Department for Education to take immediate action. Let's ensure that all children, especially those with EHCPs, can start their education without undue delays, irrespective of where their parents might relocate for work.

Please sign this petition to prompt systemic change and uphold the educational rights of children with special needs. Together, we can make a difference and push for greater accountability and efficiency within our education system.