Parents of autistic children 'left to struggle alone'

One mother said her son had not been in school since last November

A group of parents with neurodivergent children have joined forces to support each other and fight for their education amid long delays for help in Shropshire.

The average wait time in the county to be assessed for an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) that unlocks more support is 31 weeks but one parent told the BBC she had been waiting more than two years.

Organiser Joanne Ralphs, whose son is autistic, said the system was "failing our children" and families were being "left to struggle alone". "Someone needs to listen to our voices," she added.

Shropshire Council said it was determined to improve services.

The parents held their first meeting at Micky Millers Playbarn in Craven Arms on 2 July.

On attendee, Kim, said her non-verbal son was joining a mainstream class of 30 children in September with one teaching assistant because of delays getting an EHCP.

She accused Shropshire Council of a "massive string of failings".

Jodie, who has two primary-aged autistic children, said she had waited more than two years to get EHCPs for them. One of her sons has been out of school since November 2024.

She said getting help was like "pulling teeth".

Stronger together - parents join forces to fight for their children's education

An EHCP is a document which ensures a child with special educational needs (SEN) gets the right help through school.

Shropshire Council said it recognised the wait time was too long and said it had "committed to reducing this through the improvements to the EHCP team and additional capacity".

There are currently more than 3,000 under-25s with an EHCP in the Shropshire Council area, with an extra 527 waiting to be processed.

The authority added that of these, 14 primary and secondary-age children did not currently have a school place.

More case workers

Shropshire Council's cabinet last week agreed a new strategy for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and Alternative Provision (AP).

The authority said four more case workers were being recruited, with more in the future. It also said a new framework had been put in place which would hold them to account.

The portfolio holder for children and educational services, councillor Andy Hall, admitted some expectations had not been met or dealt with in a timely fashion.

However, he added the recently-elected Liberal Democrat administration was determined to be open, transparent and improve services - despite its financial problems.