October 30th 2024.
As I was watching the news coverage of the Budget speech, I couldn't believe my ears when I heard Chancellor Rachel Reeves announce a £1billion increase in funding for special educational needs provision. I had to rewind the BBC iPlayer four times just to make sure I had heard correctly. And yes, I had. In her speech, Reeves stated that the government is committed to reforming special educational needs provision and ensuring financial sustainability, with this new funding representing a 6% real term increase from last year.
One billion pounds. That's an incredible amount of money, especially for parents like me who have children with special needs. It meant more to me than any other tax and spend announcement made by the Chancellor that day. I couldn't help but think of my own daughter, Elvi, who is now 23 and about to leave the SEND system. While these changes may not benefit her directly, I still welcome them if it means that other families won't have to go through the same battles we did to get the support our child needed.
But despite this good news, I couldn't help but be skeptical. You see, as a parent of a child with special needs, positive news is hard to come by. For the past twenty years, my family has had to navigate a system filled with obstacles and disappointments. So when the Chancellor mentioned SEND in her speech, I couldn't help but feel emotional. Of course, my cynical side immediately kicked in, wondering about the details and if this increase in funding would truly make a difference for families like mine.
I know I'm not alone in having questions about where this money will go and how it will be spent. Will a 6% increase be enough to make a significant impact? Or will it just be used to cover debts racked up by local authorities? And most importantly, can Reeves work with the Health and Education Secretaries to ensure a more cohesive and effective approach to SEND provision?
You see, my daughter's life has been dictated by which local authority or health board has the necessary funding. It's been a constant battle, with the word "no" being the most frequent response to our requests for additional support. Can she have a walking frame to improve her mobility? No. Can she move to a different school with specialists in visual impairment now that her sight is failing? No. And despite being a wheelchair user with severe learning disabilities, she doesn't qualify for support from the disabilities team or continuing healthcare unless we put her on medication she doesn't need.
Just last month, we were told that when Elvi finishes school, she will no longer receive one-to-one care. To me, that's like leaving a toddler on the highway and expecting them to cope. As her parents, we know her needs better than anyone else, so we have had to fight for every decision that affects her care. This constant battle has taken a toll on my job, my relationships, and my mental health. And I know I'm not alone in this struggle. Any parent with a child with special needs can relate to this pattern.
In fact, a council official recently told me that requests for additional support are usually turned down two or three times in the hope that parents will give up and go away. Can you imagine? So while this £1billion increase is a step in the right direction, it will take more than money to fix a broken system. Many families simply don't have the time or resources to keep fighting for their child's needs.
But despite my reservations, there were many aspects of Rachel Reeves' speech that I appreciated. It wasn't just what she said, but how she said it. For the first time, the Chancellor acknowledged that the system is broken and that our children deserve equal support as their non-disabled peers. She also recognized the important role that parent-carers play and made a small increase to the hours they can work while still qualifying for Carers Allowance.
Additionally, the Chancellor's budget included more funding for local authorities, health, and social care. This is crucial because disabled and neurodivergent children require support beyond the school system. So while there is still a long way to go, this budget is a start, and I hope it leads to meaningful change for families like mine. But for this to happen, we need to shift the culture and mindset that views disabled people as a financial burden and denies them the support they need.
Today, my daughter may not see a penny of this £1billion, but if it leads to a better future for families like mine, then it's a step in the right direction. It won't fix everything, and there is still much work to be done, but I am hopeful that this government is committed to rebuilding trust and making a positive difference in the lives of families with special needs. Do you have a similar experience to share? Please reach out and share your story. Let's keep the conversation going.
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