Victory for SEND Campaigners after Labour Councillors Demand Action

Labour Councillors at Warwickshire County Council have successfully passed a motion to lobby the Government for more funding for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services. The motion passed Full Council unanimously and set up a cross- party task and finish group, which will monitor recent changes to SEND provision across Warwickshire.

This action will initiate a cross party delegation to ensure Warwickshire’s voice is heard and local SEND services are supported.

Councillor Helen Adkins, Leader of the Labour Group, said “This is a major victory for SEND campaigners across Warwickshire and I welcome the widespread support for the motion we put forward. I have long campaigned alongside local parents, service users and campaigners to deliver better SEND services for Warwickshire. For too long this issue has been overlooked and undervalued.

Given the immense pressure the County faces in balancing its budget moving forward in relation to meeting SEND provision, we must prioritise those who need our support the most.”

Helen Adkins and other Labour Councillors have supported campaign groups such as ‘SEND National Crisis Warwickshire’, who are demanding changes to improve SEND services locally and nationally. The group were part of a national ‘day of protest’ in 2019 and have gained support across communities.

Cassandra Leese of SEND National Crisis Warwickshire, said:

“ Thousands of children, often the most vulnerable in our society, are without the support and education they need to be able to succeed in life. Families spend years of their lives fighting for their most basic rights at a tremendous cost to both themselves and their local authority; when they have no other option than to take their cases to court.

Nationally, 9 out of 10 cases taken to court are won by families. In 2018/19, Tribunals cost LAs £40.1 million pounds. Money we’d rather see spent on education. SEND services desperately need adequate funding and we congratulate Council for recognising this and committing to tackle a crucial issue for both families and wider society.”