Crisis in Derbyshire SEND services needs immediate action, says Erewash MP
As the MP for Erewash, I am deeply concerned by the unacceptable delays to, and poor administration of, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services at Derbyshire County Council.
This issue has grown so serious that SEND-related issues now represent a full 20% of all the casework my office receives. This staggering number reflects the strain on local families who rely on timely, effective support for their children. In response, my team and I are working to support dozens of families across Erewash, offering guidance and assistance to ensure their voices are heard and their needs are addressed.
In early October, I took the step of formally writing to Derbyshire to convey my severe concern over their SEND provision. A month later, I have yet to receive a response – this lack of communication is sadly all too common for parents across Derbyshire. Erewash families regularly report to my team and I that they are met with silence from Derbyshire’s SEND services. Residents share that emails frequently go unanswered for months, and with no direct phone line available, it’s challenging for families to get help when they need it most.
These delays are more than an oversight; they are a disservice to our children and their futures. Parents who rely on access to essential services feel they are battling to secure support that their children are legally entitled to and are often left frustrated and exhausted. I am aware of cases in which parents have waited years for crucial Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs) to be assessed and processed. These delays deprive children of vital education and place immense strain on their families.
In September this year, failures in securing transport services meant that some children with SEND issues were unable to start school on time, missing critical weeks of learning. For a few families, the lack of support has extended into years, with children missing out on education altogether. This is a situation that urgently needs to change.
In the budget last week, the government pledged an extra £1 billion to support SEND services across the country. This comes as part of an additional £3 billion for education overall – as a former teacher myself, I’ve seen the underfunding crisis in schools first-hand, and know this new funding is desperately needed. This new funding is great news, now we need ensure Derbyshire County Council use this money to properly deliver for children and families.
What we need now is a clear commitment from Derbyshire County Council to address these issues with urgency. We need a system that genuinely serves children and their families, with faster response times, and much, much better communication. Parents and children in Derbyshire deserve better than a system that fails them at every turn. I will continue to press Conservative-run Derbyshire County Council for answers and demand that they fulfil their obligations.
To parents in Erewash who have already reached out, please know that my team and I have heard you, and we will continue to work with you. I’ll keep up the pressure locally on behalf of children and their families. If your family is struggling to access SEND services and you live outside Erewash, please let your MP know.