Somerset mum calls for change in SEND services as child left seeking school place

One Somerset mother has been staging a peaceful protest outside Somerset Council's offices, fighting for a school place for her son.

Katy Blakesley's 7-year-old son Charlie, who has ADHD and autism, requires complex support in lessons. However, she says that the council has not yet approved the necessary funding.

She said: “Charlie has a diagnosis of ADHD and autism which means he requires specialist one-to-one care throughout the day.

"He’s not suitable for a mainstream school and there are very few schools around us that would be able to cater to him which is why he’s been put into alternative provision in the meantime.”

Katy says that Charlie had been receiving this alternative provision, which supported him to learn outside of a regular school environment for months. However, now that a new term has started, the funding for it has not been approved.

This has left Katy home-schooling him while juggling looking after his one-year-old brother, Henry, and trying to complete a master's degree.

Describing the situation as "soul-destroying“, Katy said: "We can’t continue doing anything we’re trying to build as a family."

Charlie has struggled for consistency in his education since reaching school age.

Katy said: "Charlie has an EHCP, which is a legally binding document. Today, he is unable to go to school because they haven’t put the funding in on time.

"We’re sat here because after years and years of getting nowhere, I have no other option. I don’t know what else to do."

Katy says that she believes the issue is widespread.

"The problem is getting worse and the councils have a lack of funding and lack of staff and now it’s becoming our children’s problem."

A Somerset Council spokesperson: “We cannot comment on individual cases. We recognise some families have waited too long and are sorry for the distress and disruption this causes.

“We are changing our SEND service through a new locality-based model, providing clearer contacts for families and schools, stronger local relationships, and faster decisions.

"The Council has also agreed £5.3 million over two years to increase capacity, reduce backlogs and speed up assessments and Education, Health and Care Plans.

“Improvement will take time, but we have acted and families should see progress as the extra capacity and new model take effect.”

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