Plans for new Sunflower SEND Hub in Haverhill take shape as parents talk of lack of provision and support
Parents of children who have SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) requirements have spoken of their ‘heartbreak’, ‘isolation’ and of being ‘let down’ by the system.
The struggles faced by SEND children and families in the Haverhill area were made clear at an event on Thursday to raise awareness of a new SEND service being launched in the town.
Founder Tina Scott and co-founder Aimee Brown, outlined their plans for the Sunflower SEND Hub to an audience at Haverhill Arts Centre.
The hub, explained Aimee and Tina will be a not-for-profit Community Interest Company (CIC) dedicated to providing much-needed support for SEND children and their families.
Their presentation added: “Our goal is to offer a safe and nurturing space where every child can thrive, no matter their needs.”
Tina’s youngest child, Olivia, seven, (she has two other daughters, aged 15 and 17) is non-verbal and not at a school, having failed to find a place for the past two years.
Of her family’s situation, Tina said: “It’s almost like they are trying to make you feel bad for not accepting what they are offering you when what they are offering you is no good.”
Tina continued: “There are massive plans but we do need to start somewhere, that’s why we are starting with the holiday clubs.”
Aimee, who works as a learning assistant at a SEND Hub, added: “We are going to pride ourselves on understanding each individual’s needs.
“Every child and every family are so different and that’s really important for us. Children need to feel safe and secure and we need to build their confidence as well.”
One mum of a boy with autism said: “I got Alfie diagnosed early. We got his piece of paper to day he’s got autism, on the asperger’s spectrum, and that was it.
“I was left to it. There was no help.”
The parent described how her son struggles to cope with being in a mainstream school and when stressed would lie on the floor and go to sleep - and be left there by staff because he was ‘not causing any problems’.
She continued: “The school do the best they can but they are just so understaffed but he is being really failed. We all are, as a family.”
Another mum, whose son will be four this year, said: “It’s just really difficult for some parents because they are trying everything to get this support and there’s just nothing.
“There’s just not much around.”
Janette Godfrey, who last summer retired from Sandcastle Playgroup in Haverhill after 32 years in the childcare profession, said: “I have seen a real steady decline in what’s being offered and it’s heartbreaking.
“I can’t remember when that changed. It’s been very gradual. The need has got more, gradually the need is growing but everything else is not growing.”
Another parent described how her four-year-old daughter was due to start at a special school in September but the county council then withdrew the offer of a place, a decision that was appealed against and will now be decided a tribunal in June.
The mum, who said her daughter has ‘severe learning disabilities’, is visually impaired and ‘still in nappies’, added: “There’s no real help out there. There is no guidance and I have to rely on friends that I know.”
A mum of three children, two of whom have disabilities, said her daughter is being seen by numerous healthcare professionals, including a speech therapist, occupational therapist and a paediatrician, adding: “We are still having to fight, even though she has all these things, I still have to fight for her to be seen.”
Another parent spoke of her frustration at not being able to find a suitable school for son, who is in year 6 and has special needs.
“He’s desperate to go to school. There’s not perfect place but there’s nowhere I can find that will just give him a chance.”
One woman described how she has been trying for ten months to get her child’s educational, health and care plan (ECHP) agreed so he can find a school place.
She added: “You feel so isolated. It is literally heartbreaking.”
Former primary school teacher Stephen Wort, who now works with SEND children for a charity, said: “Having all of you here together is absolutely amazing.
“I think in the number of years that I have worked with SEND children and SEND families, I have never seen so many in one place at the same time and It’s absolutely phenomenal.
“Without taking that action we are not going to see anything change. We need to make that happen.
“The suffering you guys are going through, they are not going to care, they are only going to care when it makes them feel bad.”
Sunflowers will be registering as a charity and applying for grants and funding and is looking for donations.
It is also looking for a premises where it can meet and intends to apply to Suffolk County Council for Alternative Provision registration.
It has also selected a board that includes SEND experts, parent advocates, a fund-raising manager and treasurer.
The holiday clubs are free to attend and are being held on a trial basis at The New Croft on April 10 and at Broadlands Hall School in Little Wratting on April 14 and 16. All the clubs run from 10am to 3pm.
For more details email Scott.Tina1@icloud.com
Suffolk County Council confirmed earlier this week that it will be spending £18.6 million on improving SEND provision in the county, with the plans including increasing the number of available places at special schools.
