Children with SEND: Assessments and Support

Gideon Amos Excerpts

Monday 15th September 2025 Westminster Hall

[Gideon Amos (Taunton and Wellington) (LD)]

It is a pleasure to see you in the Chair, Dr Huq, and a privilege to speak on behalf of the 204 people in the Taunton and Wellington constituency who signed the petition and all the other families who are deeply concerned. It is not abstract for me, because of the support my wife gives to many families who have children with special needs, including in our own home. From my experiences with my own children and from my surgeries, I know the regular trials, the pain and the often extreme debilitating stress that families go through trying to get a basic, decent education for their children. Parents are driven to the very edge by a system that they have had to battle through every step of the way. It should not be like this.

Let me tell the House about Luke, a bright, motivated young man. Luke loves school and has high hopes for his career, but he needs help to get there. His parents now have to provide two-to-one transport support just to get him to and from school. Juggling in that way has resulted in Luke being more dangerous, lashing out on transport while travelling. His parents are working, paying taxes and, in short, doing everything that society asks of them, as well as caring for Luke with extraordinary dedication all the time when he is not at school, but how are they supposed to work and hold down full-time jobs while being denied the transport that they need for Luke? Every day that his education, health and care plan fails to be delivered takes him a step closer to full residential care, at hugely greater human and financial cost to everyone involved.

[John Milne (Horsham) (LD)]

My hon. Friend is right to point out all the problems. We are going to hear a lot about problems; there are also solutions. In my constituency, we have a wonderful school called Muntham House, which teaches high-needs autistic boys, 40% of whom go on to hold down a job and to be able to sustain themselves. That is what we can do if we do the job properly. Think of the saving to the state, as well as the huge reward for the families.

--- Later in debate ---

[Gideon Amos]

I very much agree with my hon. Friend, who is a great champion of families in that position in his constituency. As the 122,000 signatures on today’s petition show, too many families are forced into crisis before help arrives. Many fear that the Government’s forthcoming reforms will make things even harder.

To its credit, Somerset council recognises that the system is not working, and it is working hard to turn around the position. The super-tanker needs to be turned around. The council has invested in the provision of more than 20 new in-school SEND units, which are now coming forward across the county. It has increased the number of EHCPs by 46%, even though applications have risen by 26%, and it has begun to see some reductions in complaints and tribunal cases.

Our councillors and I continue to challenge the team to do a lot better. These are only the early signs of improvement. It has to go further: that improvement has to be sustained. The system is not good enough, and it is failing our families. Government funding has to be part of the change, but families in Taunton and Wellington and elsewhere are worried that that change will threaten the future of children’s education. Their right to assessment and support must be maintained and there must be enhanced investment in both special provision and mainstream special educational needs provision.