A GRANDMOTHER from Seend has launched a petition asking for local authorities to provide better support to children with special educational needs (SEN), following the experience of her own grandson.
Local woman, Jo Begley, says that after two tribunals against Gloucestershire County Council, her teenage grandson is still not receiving the correct amount of support from Gloucestershire County Council.
Jo says, “I would like local authorities to support parents of SEN and brain damaged children. In our experience the local authority set up stumbling blocks and delayed in helping by not answering mail and doing every thing possible to discourage going to appeal.
“In our case the local authority did not implement the decisions of the first tribunals. I have proof they do not implement the decisions of judges. In our experience this is because of the local authority not wanting to spend money.
“Local authorities make all sorts of short cuts and almost blame parents for having a disabled child. We ended up going to two tribunals at the cost of £80,000 and three years of wasting time.
“I’m sure we, the Begley family, are not the only family that has met with such hostility. This should really be supported by as many people as possible for all disabled children.
“Why is this important? This is important to anybody with disabled children. We found no support from the local authority over a period of four years . Parents and professionals are ignored when they point out to the school what the child needs are.”
So far, Jo’s petition has collected 124 signatures. To support Jo’s cause and sign the petition, visit: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/ petitions/support-for-parents-of- sen-children-not-abuse
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