Jen Craft

It is a pleasure to see you in the Chair, Dr Huq. I am grateful to have the opportunity to speak in this clearly popular debate. As many Members will know, I have the privilege of being mum to two incredible girls, one of whom has additional needs. Like many parents of a disabled child, I feel keenly the unfairness and the challenges that my child will face throughout her life—challenges that are exacerbated throughout her childhood by a system that is far too often adversarial, baffling and unsupportive. Many of my constituents have gone through that experience when trying to access the right support for their children. I carried out a survey and a roundtable, and I will share some comments that drive home what people have experienced. One said: “It’s like living in a world where you feel no one believes your children and their struggles, and all you can do is be on constant fight or flight mode.” Someone else said: “Everything is looked at like a system, like a machine…all the compassion is gone.” Another said: “It’s a constant battle to get help, support and anything our children need.” Someone else said, heartbreakingly, of their son: “In his mind, he will go in, get no help, get in trouble and go home.” The system currently fails our children, but what can be done? There is a lot: truly inclusive schools; a commitment to meeting need wherever it arises; support for teachers and, crucially, school support staff; training for people who deal with our children on a day-to-day basis; early intervention; speech and language support; social, emotional and mental health support; funding for high-needs placements; holistic partnership working between local authorities; education placements; healthcare services; incentives for inclusivity, and sanctions for schools that do not pull their weight on SEND. Above all, we need an acknowledgment that every single child deserves an education.