'Countless children are being unfairly turned down' – Hundreds of parents lose out on extra support for pupils with special needs
In Staffordshire, 424 initial requests for education, health and care plan assessments were rejected in 2018/19
Many children with special needs are being refused extra help after being turned down for assessments (Image: Getty Images)
Hundreds of pupils with special needs across Staffordshire are being refused assessments that could help them unlock extra support.
It comes as a national survey has found a 10 per cent increase in initial requests for education, health and care plans (EHCPs) in the last year.
Frustrated families often see these plans as their only way to guarantee support for children as they usually trigger additional funding. It could include one-to-one assistance, access to specialist services or a place at a special school.
Figures obtained by the Press Association (PA) show there were 1,316 initial requests for assessments in Staffordshire in 2018/19 – up from 1,136 the previous year.
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But only 892 of the cases led to an actual assessment of a child's needs, with 424 being turned down. Thirty-two pupils secured an assessment after their families appealed or went through mediation.
When they did manage to get into the system, the vast majority of the children went on to be awarded an EHCP. Just 10 of those assessed in Staffordshire in 2018/19 were denied a plan.
Charities say the picture across the country is depressingly similar.
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Lynn Baker, who leads the National Deaf Children's Society's legal support for families, said: "Countless children are being unfairly turned down, leaving stressed and physically exhausted parents to wade through legal battles."
PA contacted all education authorities in England and received responses from 107, including Staffordshire County Council and Cheshire East Council . Stoke-on-Trent City Council did not supply any data.
The number of initial requests for an assessment rose by 10.6 per cent nationally between 2017/18 and 2018/19. At the same time, the number of refusals increased by 3.3 per cent.
Demand has been so high that many councils have overspent their high needs budgets by millions of pounds. The Government recently announced an extra £700 million for special needs next year to help ease pressures.
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Mary McNeil, from Newcastle , has been trying to get extra support for her seven-year-old grandson Loui since 2017.
The youngster has autism, anxiety and an attachment disorder and couldn't cope in a mainstream school. He will finally start at a special school in January after a long wait for an EHCP.
Mary said: "I wasn't a refusal, I was just ignored. It's been incredibly traumatic for Loui.
"Since June, he's been able to get therapeutic support, but he's been out of school. It has a huge impact on the family."
Mary isn't surprised at the number of rejections for assessments.
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"My understanding is there's certain criteria you have to meet. If you're just one box out, you come unstuck," she added. She believes lack of funding is a factor.
The county council is now drawing up a special needs strategy to improve support.
A report – due to be presented to next month's Staffordshire health and well-being board – says steps will include creating 'locality hubs' to help 'identify and support children experiencing difficulties early'. By intervening at an earlier stage, they hope to avoid the need for an EHCP.
Special schools will also provide outreach support to mainstream settings.
In Cheshire East, there were 549 initial requests for assessments in 2018/19, with 125 cases turned down. The vast majority of those assessed went on to be given an EHCP.
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Judith Blake, chairman of the Local Government Association's children and young people board, said there was an urgent need for 'sustainable funding' or 'the situation will get worse'.
She added: "These findings support our long-term concern that councils are in danger of being unable to meet their statutory duties for children with special educational needs."
Staffordshire County Council