Taking It to Court, families are gearing up for a showdown with the government over the support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send). They’re not holding back – their lawyers are heading to the High Court to argue that the government’s funding leaves councils in England unable to give these kids the help they deserve.
The Big Debate
Judges are about to weigh in on whether the government’s decisions about Send funding have been on the up and up. And if they find any foul play, they could tell the government to go back to the drawing board.
Emotional Pleas
Outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, parents poured their hearts out, begging the government to step up. They talked about futures slipping away and young lives being wasted because of cracks in the system.
Fighting for Rights
Lorraine Heugh, whose 15-year-old son Nico has autism and anxiety, didn’t mince words: “We can’t sit back and watch our kids get overlooked anymore. This is about their basic rights, and things need to change.”
A Heavy Load
That, along with other pressures, has led to a 50% jump in the number of pupils with special needs between 2014 and 2018.
Taking a Stand
Three families from Birmingham, North Yorkshire, and East Sussex are leading the charge, backed by the Send Action campaign network.
Typical Struggles
And one teenager, 14-year-old Benedict McFiggan from Scarborough, is taking a stand for better mental health support.
The Bottom Line
These families aren’t backing down until they get the support they need for their kids’ education and well-being. And with the High Court on their side, they’re ready to make some noise until things change for the better.