'Parents need more options' says mum as she calls for better SEND provision
A parent, who is now helping others, says it's time for councils to 'think outside the box'
Last updated 10th Apr 2025
A Plymouth mum says it's still taking too long to decide how best to help children in the city with special educational needs - as she calls for more options to be made available.
It comes as Plymouth City Council says it's seen a 'significant increase in demand' and is working closely with schools to 'overcome barriers to learning' after unveiling a £13-million scheme to provide more support.
Susan Ballantyne undertook a 15-month battle with the council for her son, who has ASD and ADHD, before he moved to the Minerva Online School in 2022 and is now sitting his GCSEs.
Susan tells us she's now supporting other parents to try and help them - after going through it herself - suggesting much of the delays in getting support and funding could be avoided if councils 'think outside the box'.
She said: "It's horrendously frustrating because what the council don't take into account, what the schools don't take into account is the actual affect on the families' mental health and it took eight months for me to actually start things moving.
"What is happening to these children whilst parents are battling for Education, Health and Care Plans? Those children are sat in a black hole if you like waiting for Education, Health and Care Plan to be approved."
She added: "It's a David and Goliath battle as schools and local authorities will use legislation and grey areas of that legislation to bamboozle parents and almost frighten them into 'if you can't get your child into school we'll be going to court'."
Ms Ballantyne is now an Minerva Online School ambassador but also believes - given the experiences of home and online schooling during the pandemic - 'hybrid' lessons should be explored by schools, potentially preventing problems and school absences escalating.
She said: "The parents I work with are like 'yes, I've got the plan', but after a few weeks realise that nothing has changed and 'still can't get my child back into the school that are willing to have him back because now I've got the funding for maybe a one-to-one but we're two years on'."
"My son is now thriving at this online school, he's a different child and it has met so many of his needs that the local secondary school clearly couldn't meet."
What has Plymouth City Council said in response?
A Plymouth City Council spokesperson said: “Like many other areas of the country we have seen a significant increase in demand for services that support children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), with growing numbers of requests for an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
“This has resulted in increased pressure across the entire SEND system and we understand that this can be very difficult for families.
“We are working closely with partners in health, education and social care to deliver better outcomes and experiences for local children and young people with SEND, which has included investing £1.5 million of additional Council resource over two years to help address the key issues. This has included capital investment for the creation of new special school places and specialist places in mainstream schools, as well as additional staff to help deliver EHCPs.
“We have also recently launched our new Graduated Approach to Inclusion, which gives schools the tools and guidance they need to better support children and young people with additional needs. This will help to overcome barriers to learning and ensure that children receive consistent, high-quality support within their school. This resource can be accessed at plymouthgati.co.uk”
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