MP for West Suffolk Matt Hancock promises Haverhill mum he is on her side over SEND complaint

A single mum from Haverhill said ‘she wants answers’ after her 10-year-old son, who has additional needs, was moved between nine schools in two-and-a-half-years.

Michelle Mcloughlin, 34, waited five years for a diagnosis for her son Spencer, and has described her family’s experience of the special educational needs (SEN) system as an ‘ordeal’ and ‘living nightmare’.

The mum of two first became concerned that Spencer had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), when he was excluded from primary school while in Year 1.

It wasn’t until 2022 that he was finally diagnosed with both ADHD and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD).

Children and young people with ODD often lose their temper and find it difficult to follow instructions, they can also be angry, resentful and get annoyed with themselves easily.

Spencer has now been given a placement at a specialist provision in Bury St Edmunds and is medicated for his ADHD and ODD.

Michelle has had to fight to see drafts, and finalised versions, of his education, health and care plan (ECHP).

An ECHP is a legal document which sets out a child’s special educational needs and the support they need.

The 10-year-old has been moved back and forth between specialist provision and mainstream school – where he was placed on a reduced timetable of one-hour-per-day.

This meant Michelle, who works as a carer, had to take six months sick leave as she had to be at home for her son.

She is now worried about the the long-term-impact Spencer’s school experience has had on his mental health.

Michelle said: “It has been an absolute nightmare and I look back now and think, ‘how did we get through it?’ Spencer has been completely failed by the SEN education system.”

Now the concerned mum has contacted her MP Matt Hancock, Suffolk County Council, and the Department of Education to highlight the struggle her family has faced.

In one letter she wrote: “This whole ordeal could potentially have an impact on his future which is heartbreaking, not just for Spencer, but other families in a similar situation.”

MP for West Suffolk Mr Hancock said he was ‘very saddened’ to hear about Michelle and Spencer’s experience.

In direct response to Michelle’s comments he said: “As someone who is pushing for better SEND provision in schools, through my dyslexia campaign, it’s important to know and understand that I’m on your side.

“No child should be left behind because they have a neurodiversity. I will follow up these concerns to ensure all children get the education they not only need but deserve.”

A spokeswoman for Suffolk County Council, said: “We have commissioned an independent special adviser to focus on how services are impacting the everyday experience of children and young people with SEND.

“Senior consultant, Anthony Douglas CBE, will work with SEND system leaders and the SEND networks to support the reforms already underway.

“This commission shows how dedicated and focused we remain on improving the way we deliver SEND services for children and young people in Suffolk.”

The Department of Education was also approached for comment.