THE founder of a Derby-based special needs organisation that provides support to families across the UK says it is “appalling” that so many are being failed – and that parents are too scared to share their stories in case it impacts on them negatively.
Chrissa Wadlow set up Sunshine Support in 2017 after winning a High Court battle to get her daughter the right education provision. Sunshine Support educates and informs adults who need help, and the organisation has been overwhelmed with enquiries over the last month with a 300% increase.
The mum-of-four’s comments come after it was revealed that Derbyshire County Council had more than 1,000 Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) “outstanding”. An EHC plan lays out what provision will be provided to a child with special educational needs and the local authority is required, by law, to provide these plans within 20 weeks.
However, data shows that from February 2022 to May 2023, a third of these were not complete in Derbyshire.
Chrissa said: “Children are being let down in Derbyshire and it is absolutely appalling. Sadly, it is not only here that has the problem; this is happening nationally across the country, and it is our young people who are paying the price. They are being failed.
“It is a legal requirement that children get an education, and it is those who should be enforcing this that are preventing it. It causes families undue heartache and stress over something that is a basic human right.
“We have parents, in Derbyshire and Derby city – and across the UK – who have stories to share but they’re all equally terrified that it will impact on them negatively. They really are scared.”
Later this month, Sunshine Support will host a series of webinars during School Avoidance Awareness Week; a national awareness week that aims to educate parents, carers and education professionals fighting to get the support needed to get children a suitable education provision.
“School avoidance is fast becoming one of the most challenging areas of education, health and care for children and young people,” said Chrissa.
“Parents are put under pressure to ensure their children attend school, whilst professionals seldom have expertise in “non-attendance” and, by default, are calling education welfare officers or threatening fines.
“We have made it our mission to change the narrative and reframe what we see at “school refusal” and attendance difficulties. Our aim is to look at the bigger picture and find a way for us all to achieve the best possible outcome.
“It’s about re-educating, re-thinking and recovering.”
One Derby mum who is currently being supported by Sunshine Support is trying to juggle her job as a healthcare assistant while her daughter remains out of school due to a delay in Derby City Council confirming a suitable placement.
The mum, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “Our local mainstream school confirmed that they could not meet the needs of my daughter and then the council, against all professional advice, have named this school as the most suitable for her – which it clearly is not.
“My daughter was meant to have a fresh start in September in a senior school who understood her. Instead, she is sat at home or coming to work with me as she has significant learning difficulties which means she is cognitively at age six. This was never picked up by her junior school, despite my begging for help.
“The first sign of help we have had was when Sunshine Support became involved, and they made professionals accountable for their failings. I feel like no-one listened to me before.”
Chrissa, who admits that this particular case has been difficult for her, said: “It’s a clear-cut case; the child needs a specialist provision yet the ignorance and neglect from professionals is remarkable.
“It’s because of cases like this that we know there is no marked improvement within SEND services for our local children.”
School Avoidance Awareness week takes place September 25 to 29. More information on school avoidance and how to help a child who struggles to attend school is available at www.schoolavoidance.co.uk
