Can Stoke become a centre for SEND excellence?

In May 2023, the Stoke Sentinel explained the ‘fight’ that many parents are facing to gain support for their children with SEND. It is a battle that schools are desperate to support parents with so that the cities’ children can get the support they need. As explained, ‘As of the end of 2022, there were 2,875 children or young people in Stoke-on-Trent with EHC plans – one of the highest percentages of children under a plan in the country. In 25 cases last year where parents were initially refused an assessment for their child, mediation resulted in all but nine of those decisions being overturned – a 64% reversal rate’. This is a crisis that desperately needs attention and action. 

The Sentinel article goes to highlight the pain that many parents have endured due to a perceived lack of support their children. Stoke has some of the highest rates of SEND in the country and so resources are desperately needed. Of course funding can go a long way but in the interim, guidance for educators and parents needs to be accessible, free and practically useful.  

The impact of this not being available can be very damaging. The aforementioned article tells the story of Heather Twigg. It explains, ‘Heather Twigg’s nine-year-old son Alex was excluded from Heron Cross Primary school in Fenton on February 8 this year for disruptive behaviour. The first education he received after that date – a lesson with a private tutor supplied by the council – was six weeks later. She said: “He was already behind. Now he’s way behind. I think he has ADHD and problems with his learning. He gets distracted and can’t keep still. He’s become worse over the years and has hit teachers”’. 

Opogo is one such organisation that has invested a great deal into developing online resources to support educators in this fight for children with SEND. These resources include introductions to autism, dyslexia, ADHD and many more. There are also many other courses that support teachers develop their pedagogical and safeguarding awareness. Furthermore,  this is freely available for individuals and schools/colleges. Initially, the resources were designed to give support to supply teachers who may not get the CPD that staff with permanent contracts may receive. 

The consequences of not tackling this issue are clear. Without proper support, children with SEND may face significant barriers to accessing quality education. This can result in reduced learning opportunities, lower academic achievements, and limited future prospects. The lack of tailored support can lead to feelings of frustration, inadequacy, and disengagement from the educational process.

Inadequate support can negatively impact a child’s emotional and psychological well-being. Children with SEND may experience feelings of isolation, anxiety, and low self-esteem due to their struggles with learning and social interaction. They may struggle to participate in extracurricular activities, make friends, or engage in social interactions. This isolation can further exacerbate feelings of loneliness and impact their social skills development. In the long term, they might experience difficulties in gaining employment, pursuing higher education, or living independently. This can perpetuate a cycle of dependence on support systems and limit their overall quality of life.

Perhaps most importantly, every child has unique talents and abilities, and inadequate support can prevent children with SEND from realising their full potential. When these talents are not nurtured, it represents a loss for both the individual and society as a whole. Many individuals with SEND have unique perspectives and contributions to offer, and when their potential is overlooked, society misses out on valuable diversity.

Of course, families of children with SEND often bear the brunt of inadequate support. They may have to dedicate significant time, resources, and emotional energy to provide the necessary care and accommodations for their children. This can lead to high levels of stress, financial strain, and disrupted family dynamics.

Getting the right support for the children of Stoke not only benefits the individual children but also contributes to a more inclusive, equitable, and compassionate society. It is crucial for local authorities to recognise their responsibilities, allocate resources appropriately, and collaborate with families, educators, and healthcare professionals to ensure that children with SEND receive the support they need to thrive.