According to new research by Support SEND Kids, two in five parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) have had to leave their jobs due to insufficient support. The study, titled "Fighting for your SEND child: the hidden cost", surveyed 519 parents, revealing that only 12% saw no change to their working lives. Nearly half (48%) reduced their hours or moved to more flexible roles, while 40% left work entirely.
Key reasons cited for these changes included a lack of help from local authorities, limited school support, and inflexibility from employers. Many parents also struggled to obtain the necessary Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) for their child, with some leaving work during this fight for adequate provisions.
Families of children with SEND face significant financial burdens, with many resorting to private assessments due to long NHS waiting times. Hidden costs, such as private reports and legal fees for tribunals, further exacerbate these pressures. Parents described the emotional and mental toll of navigating a system that often falls short in providing necessary support.
The report suggests that the solution lies in increased funding and resources for SEND services. Many parents feel they are constantly battling for their children’s rights and argue that more government support is urgently needed to address these challenges.
