Tackling the Crisis in SEND Provision

I spoke in Parliament this week to raise the deeply concerning case of a child in Woking who has complex needs and severe mental health challenges. That child has sadly been out of school for over a year as a result. 

This is despite having a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) assessment that clearly outlines their needs. The child still hasn’t been offered a suitable school place, and their mental health has deteriorated further as a result. 

The lack of appropriate support and structure for this particular child is, sadly, not an isolated case. It’s one of the big issues in my postbag. My inbox is filled with heartbreaking stories of children suffering because they just can’t access the support the need. 

It is no secret that Surrey is facing a crisis in its Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision – a crisis made worse by persistent failures at Surrey County Council.  

I know from speaking to families from right across Woking constituency that many children with SEND are falling through the cracks. Parents are being forced to fight for months or even years to secure the basic educational support their children are entitled to. 

In my speech in the House of Commons, I called on the Minister to assess how the Government can help prevent cases like this from happening in the first place, and how we can ensure that no child is left without the education and support they so desperately need. You can watch my speech in full here. 

This is a matter of urgency – both for the children affected and their families. The Liberal Democrats and I are continuing to push both the Government and Surrey County Council to take responsibility and deliver the high-quality and tailored support that all children with SEND deserve. 

At our Liberal Democrat Spring Conference, we passed a Policy Motion entitled Ending the Crisis: A Fair Deal for Children with SEND. 

The motion highlights the postcode lottery in SEND support, unacceptable delays in EHCPs, and unsustainable pressures on schools and local authorities. It calls for the creation of a new National Body for SEND, fast-tracking the building of state-funded special schools, and ensuring every teacher is trained to support SEND students.  

We also demand better support for parent carers, stronger inclusion standards, and reforms to make education fairer and more accessible for all children with SEND. 

You can read more about the motion on the Liberal Democrats website.