Your Voice, Your Vote: Disabled children need more help

A single mum of two children with autism has called for more funding to help young disabled people.

Tracey Barnes, 50, who lives in Camborne, Cornwall, has criticised the lack of respite centres which provide short-term relief for primary caregivers.

She is among many people who have got in touch with the BBC via Your Voice, Your Vote to tell us special educational needs and disabilities (Send) was the most important issue for them in this election.

Ms Barnes uses the centres for her non-verbal daughter who struggles to sleep.

During the pandemic, Ms Barnes was left "severely sleep deprived" as she could not access the service for her daughter.

"Everything I thought, everything I did, everything I breathed was to do with supporting my family members," said Ms Barnes.

A mum from Plympton, Devon, whose 11-year-old son has autism, said he struggles in a "mainstream classroom".

Katie Rich, 50, said: "He has difficulties processing verbal information so in a busy classroom even having a conversation at a steady level - he finds that really, really hard."

Ms Rich, a former teacher, said her son also struggles with anxiety if things are not "scaffolded" for him which can lead to him feeling "physically sick".

To create a level playing field, she said: "We just need a little bit of help and a little bit of change."

Ms Rich thinks the solution needs to involve the law being followed, a commitment to inclusion through actions, such as training staff, and a culture of wellbeing being valued.

She added money should be targeted to benefit the children and professionals directly supporting them on a daily basis as "getting Send support right benefits everyone – not just those with a diagnosis".

The Conservatives said they would create 60,000 school places and 15 free schools for Send children. They will not tax independent special schools.

Labour said they would improve inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools and ensure special schools cater for the most complex needs.

The Liberal Democrats would help local authorities subsidise education, health and care plans. A National Body for Send will fund support for children with very high needs while local authorities will be responsible for Send functions. Early Years staff training will have “a specific emphasis” on identifying and supporting Send children.

Reform’s manifesto makes no mention of Send.

The Greens want mainstream schools to get £5bn for Send provision including specially-trained teachers. More funding for councils will support Send students and provide free transport for 16 to 18-year-olds. There will also be no VAT on private school places for Send children while public-sector capacity is built.

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