SEND parents protest to demand more support

Protesters gathered in Victoria Square in Birmingham

About 200 West Midlands families have protested over special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision.

They gathered in Victoria Square, Birmingham, and complained their children were not getting enough school support and access to specialist help.

"Significant investment" was being made into supporting them, the government said.

One of the parents taking part, Jodie Leake, said everything was a struggle.

She said her child had been out of education for 10 months due to a lack of appropriate care and added: "He's just confused, his mental health has deteriorated".

Ms Leake said her son had struggled in mainstream education and the situation made her "angry and upset".

Jodie Leake (right) said she was angry and upset by the lack of support

Hundreds of children with learning difficulties and disabilities in the West Midlands are out of school, a BBC investigation has found.

The protest was one of a number organised by campaign group SEND Reform England.

Among those demonstrating in Birmingham was Jennie Walker, from Meir, in Staffordshire.

She said her daughter was struggling in a mainstream school, despite the best efforts of teaching staff.

She said more specialist schools were needed so SEND pupils "can get a proper education".

Abigail White, from Stone, said securing the right provision for children was "a battle in itself" and called for more funding.

Without specialist schools, she said many parents across the country were left "between a rock and a hard place".

Abigail White said securing the right provision for SEND children was a "battle"

Another mother at the Birmingham protest, Kirsty, said: "I'm here for my son and every other child that has been failed by their local authority."

She said the lack of provision was hard for parents, teachers and children alike and wanted improved training for teachers with increased access to support plans.

"We're our children's voices at the end of the day," she said.

A Department for Education spokesperson said the government would intervene where local areas were failing children.It added "significant investment" was being made into supporting children with high needs.