Advocate Of Hope

A child’s inability to succeed in a mainstream classroom unveils a stark reality that cannot simply be blamed on bad parenting. The heart of the matter lies in a system that consistently overlooks children with special education needs. It is not merely an oversight; it’s a glaring indictment of our collective failure to uphold the rights of the most vulnerable among us.

Parents, instead of receiving support, find themselves in a relentless struggle for the scant resources that local authorities are legally bound to provide. These resources are not a luxury—they are a basic right, ensuring every child, regardless of their challenges and needs, has access to education.

As a parent of a child with autism, I’m saying this, not just as an advocate but as a witness to the excruciating delays for assessments that leave families questioning their competence. 

The revelation that you are NOT a bad parent comes too late, overshadowed by the tactics to delay the issue of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)—a process that defies belief.

The ordeal doesn’t end with obtaining an EHCP. 

After years of waiting, fighting through mediations, and enduring tribunals, families are left with a document that, ironically, seems to provide very little. It does not always guarantee the child receives the promised placement or support. This is not just a failure; it’s a betrayal.

Countless families are being shattered by a system that’s supposed to be their pillar of support. Now is the time for this government to stand up and revamp the SEND provision in our country. Our children are not lacking in potential; they are being failed by a system that makes accessing support an insurmountable challenge.

Denying them the assistance they need is not just depriving them of an education—it’s stealing their future, a future where they could thrive and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

Frederick Douglass once said, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken adults.”

This profound truth seems lost on our government. How long must we wait for this lesson to be learned? How many more children must suffer before we prioritize their futures over bureaucratic inertia?

The time for change is now.

Not just for our children’s sake, but for the future of our society.