This issue is deeply personal to me. As a parent of a child with autism, I have witnessed first-hand the relentless challenges posed by our current system of social care for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN). The existing procedures lack the required sensitivity and effectiveness to create a conducive environment for these kids to grow and learn.

In the UK, there are 1.3 million children with SEN - that comprises 15% of all pupils (source: Department for Education, 2020). These children are not just numbers; they possess diverse capabilities, potential, and promises. Yet, they face a system that is too often unresponsive to their unique needs and circumstances.

We must acknowledge the flaws in our system and take immediate steps to reform it. Unresponsiveness, bureaucracy, and general lack of understanding are failures we can no longer afford. It is time we usher in a system that genuinely serves the best interests of these children and their families.

We demand a comprehensive overhaul and reform of social care procedures for children with SEN, so they have equal opportunities to thrive. It is not just a question of education; it's about respecting their rights and dignity.

Please help us make this urgent call for change. It's high time that our children received the care, understanding, and opportunities that they truly deserve. Sign the petition and demand a better system for Special Educational Needs children.

I am a 33-year-old mother of four, and my second-born son, Darcy, who is now 10, has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). He was diagnosed at the age of 2, and as he grew, we realized that the local SEN school he attended couldn’t meet his needs. Instead of benefiting from school, Darcy spent more time in hallways crying than actually receiving the support he needed.

As a family, we struggled with daily challenges. Darcy was still in nappies, non-verbal, and had severe feeding difficulties, diagnosed with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). Life at home became increasingly difficult, and our family dynamic was strained. My other children didn’t get to have friends over, and simple tasks like going to the shop for milk became nearly impossible.

We reached out for help, as we were entitled to a Social Worker due to Darcy’s disability, but the help we received was anything but supportive. We began a two-year battle with social care, trying to secure the appropriate school placement for Darcy. The Loddon School in Hampshire—a specialist residential school for children with severe ASD—was the best option for him, but social care officials told me that they would rather place Darcy into foster care than fund his school placement. This, despite Darcy being a well-loved, cared-for child in a family who only wanted the best for him.

During this process, the social worker assigned to Darcy’s case was inexperienced and insensitive, and the system was more focused on cost-saving than on meeting Darcy’s needs. We had support from health care professionals, including occupational therapists, dietitians, and paediatricians, all of whom agreed that this school was the best option for Darcy. Yet, it was a constant fight to get social care to even acknowledge that.

After two long years of constant battling, we finally secured the placement we needed, but it came at a great cost. Our local education panel had to step in and cover all the costs, which is highly unusual and demonstrates just how broken the system is. Education should cover the schooling itself, while social care should fund support outside of school hours—but that wasn’t the case for us. This situation is a direct result of policies designed to cut costs, and it’s putting families under tremendous stress.

The impact on our family was profound. I was overwhelmed, trying to balance work, home life, caring for Darcy, and raising three other children, all while my husband was away with the military. The emotional toll was unbearable, and at times, I felt like I was failing my son and my family. We should never have been put in this position.

I am not alone. I now know of several other families facing the same battle for the education and support their children need. No family should have to endure this fight. We shouldn’t have to fight to access basic rights and services for our children, and we shouldn’t have to endure an emotionally and financially draining process.

I am petitioning for an urgent reform of SEN social care procedures to ensure that families are supported in a way that prioritizes the needs of the children and doesn’t add further strain to already overwhelmed families. We need a system that allows parents to choose the best school for their child without a years-long battle, and that provides timely, compassionate support to families who need it most.

Please join me in demanding change and signing this petition for a better future for our children.