Parents of children with special educational needs attempting suicide as schools lock them out, report suggests

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. MPs heard “countless examples” of schools off-rolling, excluding and discouraging parents from sending children with special educational needs and disabilities to their schools – which has left some pupils waiting years for an appropriate school place. “Families are often forced to wade through a treacle of bureaucracy, in a system which breeds conflict and despair as parents try to navigate a postcode lottery of provision.” He added: “Of course, extra funding for SEND announced in the spending round is welcome but the truth is that more cash will fail to make a difference to children with special education needs unless there is a radical change of approach throughout the system. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union Naht, said: “We have been warning for a long time that the picture facing schools supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities is unsustainable. Schools and councils have been left struggling to meet the needs of our most vulnerable pupils.” Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events A DfE spokesperson said: “No child should be held back from reaching their potential, including those with special educational needs.