I've decided to write this petition on behalf of all children/adults with SEND.

As a mum of two children with SEND I've had first hand experience on the struggles these children and their families face daily, from fighting for what your child deserves when it comes to receiving support from speech & language, Occupational therapy, dietician, physio and so on. It is never easy to get straight forward support without having to put a fight or the months/years of waiting for any answers or solutions to give your child the best quality care you want, for them to lead a happy and joyful life.

It doesn't just end there, the lack of understanding around SEND in early years settings and schools can also prove a fight for parents. Or even worse a lot of children go through early years struggling without the right support ending up being delayed in their development.

What I'm trying to achieve out of this petition is for all early years settings/non SEND schools, child services etc to have a new law/legislation in place for all their employees to be trained in Autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorder and behavioural support training. Also communicating with children who have delayed speech or are non verbal, measures should be put in place including makaton training, pecs or BSL!

Moving forward all childcare qualifications should include a unit in SEN too. The government should support settings with the cost of the training to all staff. The training should be refreshed every year. 

I want the government to realise there is an increase in children being diagnosed with SEND, but not enough spaces in SEND schools and there is no such thing as SEND nurseries, so why not make it mandatory for all childcare workers working in schools and nurseries be trained in SEND.

If staff are trained in SEND, they will be able to support the children and families in the early stages before referrals are made with the appropriate professionals. Early interventions are so beneficial to the children to give them a better-quality life and a sense of wellbeing. Signs are easily spotted if staff are trained in recognising these concerns. 

Referrals are being made daily and the waiting times are increasing before a child is even seen by a paediatric doctor. Why not ease pressure on the NHS. If staff at nurseries and schools are trained they will be able to put measures in place to support children whilst they are awaiting to see professionals. Every month that passes whilst waiting for support, it's decreasing time on a child's wellbeing and quality of life. 

Please I ask to think very hard about the situation we are in. These children are our next generation and the future. Let's make changes. SEND children need to be made to feel part of our community not made to feel an inconvenience.