Report: Children with Learning Difficulties Failed by Chaotic Government Support System

MPs Concerned About Lost Generation

Children with learning difficulties are being failed by a chaotic and unequal government support system, according to a recent report. MPs are concerned that a lost generation of those with special educational needs will fall through the cracks.

Postcode Lottery of Support

The investigation by the Public Accounts Committee has uncovered a postcode lottery where families in different local authorities have vastly different experiences. For example, in London’s Lambeth, 71.5% of education plans are drawn up on time within 20 weeks, while in neighbouring Southwark, the rate is only 19.2%.

Arduous Process for Parents

The report also highlights the arduous process parents must navigate to secure support for their children. Shockingly, 98% of cases taken to court rule in favor of the families, leading MPs to criticize a system that creates "bureaucratic hoops for no good reason."

Call for Change

Trending In The News's Give It Back campaign has been advocating for the reinstatement of a £573 million cut to funding for health and social care for special needs children. Stephen Kingdom, campaign manager for the Disabled Children’s Partnership, expressed frustration with the broken system that has failed a generation of children without consequences for the authorities.

"The PAC Report confirms what families and disabled young people have been telling Trending In The News for years. A broken system has been allowed to run and run, failing a generation of children, with no accountability for councils who break the law," Kingdom stated.

He added, "What is particularly damning about this report is that it highlights the poor understanding the Government has of growing need and the reasons for increasing waits for diagnosis and support."