Last Friday we met at the Civic Office with Riana Nelson, Director of Children, Young People and Families, and Leanne Hornsby, Assistant Director of Education and Skills, to discuss special needs provision in Doncaster. Nick Fletcher MP joined via Teams.

We know, from our constituency casework, what a big issue SEND provision is for so many parents in Doncaster and the Council explained that since the pandemic the demands on services have massively increased both nationally and locally.

We have both met parents who have been frustrated by the process of seeking help for their children; the time it takes to get help and the help that is available.

The Council explained the changes that have been made to improve the support provided, but also highlighted the funding and other pressures they face in providing the support that is needed. There are now around 2700 children with EHCPs in Doncaster, a very significant increase as well as around 6460 with SEND support.

The Council explained that parents should be aware that even though their child does not have an EHCP, there can still be help provided.

Large numbers of exclusions by certain academy chains were additionally raised as a big issue which we will take up as local MPs.

We will continue to fight for proper SEND provision for Doncaster’s young people and parents.