Leicestershire SEND cuts will derail daughter's future, mum says

A mother fears proposed special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) cuts will derail her disabled teenage daughter's future.

Laura said Leicestershire County Council planned to reduce a £53,000 package for her daughter Holly, 17, to attend mainstream school, to £26,000.

She said the cuts would make it impossible for Holly to continue her A-levels.

The council declined to comment on the family's situation.

However, the authority said its priority was "making sure that families are supported in the best possible way".

"We're in a potentially devastating situation," said Laura, whose family live in the Vale of Belvoir.

"With the support she has in place, Holly has been thriving at school, but now all I can see is her dreams crumbling.

"She is a kind, bright, articulate and academic girl who has dreams of getting her A-levels and going to university, but she does need a lot of support which could now be taken away."

Laura said she was told of the proposed cuts in January, following an annual review of her daughter's education, health and care (EHC) plan, which has been in place for six years.

The funding pays for therapists and personal assistants to help Holly at school.

She is autistic, has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), pathological demand avoidance (PDA) and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

Laura said the cuts would mean Holly would lose support including physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, speech, language and occupational therapy and other vital daily assistance.

"Holly wouldn't last at school without it," said Laura.

"She has so much potential but losing this support will derail her."

Laura added: "This is not me as a parent demanding support, her package is based on her being assessed by professionals who make recommendations based on her needs."

Laura claimed there were about 15 other Leicestershire families facing similar EHC cuts.

"We are all dealing with this but finding it draining and exhausting," she said. "We're sick with worry.

"I have sympathy with the council and its financial position but it has a statutory duty to support young people with SEN and it's not doing that through these cuts."

A county council spokesperson said: "Our priority is making sure that families are supported in the best possible way.

"[EHCs] for children and young people are reviewed annually, as we are required to, so that plans reflect their needs and provide the right support for their education.

"Annual reviews may lead to the increase or decrease in support and resource, depending on any change in need that is identified.

"Personal budgets are sometimes given as a way of supporting a child or young person in their education if the school or college does not ordinarily offer the need and outcomes set out in an [EHC].

"These personal budgets can only be used for educational purposes and cannot fund activities that do not directly relate to a child's education."

Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.