Will Aczel: "Devon’s SEND crisis is nothing short of a scandal."

On 8th February, I joined families from across Devon at County Hall to lobby for better services for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The County Council’s underfunding and mismanagement has led it to be rated ‘inadequate’ by various Government bodies. It is failing families in its legal duty to ensure quality, accessible education for all.

The County Council could begin to resolve this by recognising parents as partners, bringing staffing in-house, and reducing the number of assessment plans they contest.

Instead of cutting assessment plans, we need fairer funding from national Government. For example, Exeter schools receive a shocking £460 less per pupil than the national average, according to the House of Commons Library. We need Cllrs and MPs who fight for our fair funding.

A mental health professional in every school, paid for by tripling the tax on social media giants, would be another important step in the right direction.

Education is a legal right. Proper SEND provisions would unlock so much personal, social, and economic well-being in the short- and long-term. Change cannot come soon enough for SEND families.

Will Aczel

Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Exeter