Helen Morgan raises Shropshire special needs provision crisis with Education Minister

Helen Morgan MP has raised the crisis in special educational needs provision in Shropshire with the Education Minister, citing a case in her constituency where a child has not been in school for nearly a full year.

The son of the North Shropshire resident had to leave his specialist placement at an in-county school in October last year as they could no longer meet his needs. He has not been back in full-time education since, making it nearly a year with no education due to the crisis in SEND provision in the county.

Helen highlighted the case as one of many in North Shropshire where children and parents are being let down because of a system-wide crisis in special needs provision. Helen has been working with many local families who are struggling to access appropriate education as a result.

The MP also cited a local headteacher’s view that provision in Shropshire ‘decades behind elsewhere in the county’ and not adequate for many SEND children.

The number of children in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin with special needs hit a record high this year, with 4,620 children and young people on Education, Health and Care Plans.

Helen Morgan, MP for North Shropshire, said, “Maria in my constituency has a son who was in a specialist placement and in October last year, that school, so they can no longer meet his need.

“He hasn't been back in full time education since then, with another head teacher locally telling me that special needs provision in Shropshire is decades behind elsewhere in the country.

“If she aspires for all children in the country to have their special needs met, how is she going to ensure that it happens in places that are struggling so much with funding like Shropshire?”

Bridget Phillipson MP, Secretary of State for Education replied, “I recognise the challenge that the Honourable Lady sets out. A part of it is making sure that our mainstream schools are better able to cater for children with a wide range of needs.

“I'm very sorry to hear about the experience of her constituent and I'm sure my Right Honourable Friend will be happy to meet with her or to look into that further to make sure that if there's any action that can be taken to support the family.”