More than 1,800 children with SEN missing school

The figures include 84 pupils who never attended their school in an academic year

More than 1,800 children with additional educational needs in Surrey were out of school for about a third of the last academic year, figures show.

The number includes 84 pupils who never attended the school they were meant to during the year.

Parents told BBC Radio Surrey that getting support for their children felt "scary" and like "fighting with a brick wall".

Tim Oliver, leader of Surrey County Council, said there were "fundamental issues across the SEND system" and that families did not "always get the experience or outcomes that they should".

The council's figures relate to children with an education, health and care plan (EHCP), which sets out what support they might need across their education, or those known to require SEN Support.

Councillor Fiona Davidson, who chairs the council's children, families, lifelong learning and culture select committee, said parents felt they had been through a "very complex, fraught process" getting their children assessed for an EHCP.

Though the council has worked to speed up the process of issuing EHCPs, she said she believes "the council should be doing more".

'Outrageous'

Ms Davidson added: "There is progress and I think schools are seeing some progress, I'm not sure the parents are seeing that progress.

"It certainly needs to happen much more quickly."

Chris Coghlan, the Lib Dem MP for Dorking and Horley, said the consequences on families of delays and missed schooling were "devastating".

He said "parent after parent" told him "just how outrageous" the situation was.

Mr Oliver previously said the council was "working hard" to improve services and he had written to the Secretary of State about the national issue.