Labour MPs issue Commons debate warning that the SEND provision has hit a ‘crisis point’ in Derbyshire

Labour MPs have warned that services provided by Derbyshire County Council for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are at “crisis point”.

Amber Valley’s Linsey Farnsworth secured a debate in the House of Commons on Wednesday 12th February to raise the alarm after a raft of parents wrote to her about the provision from the Tory-run local authority. 

A survey of her constituents found:  

• 88% of respondents rated SEND provision in Amber Valley as “poor”, with only 2% saying it was “good”;
• 83% complained of long wait times;
• 81% said that provision in mainstream schools was insufficient; 
• 70% said that they had experienced problems obtaining the ECHP the first step in accessing support for their child.

It echoes the experience of all 11 Labour MPs in Derbyshire, who have been received a number of concerns from families about SEND services. The debate follows a report into SEND provision in Derbyshire by Ofsted and the CQC, which found “widespread and systemic failings” over the course of “many years”.

Labour has criticised the Conservative-led County Council for only spending £1.5m as families cry out for support, despite having a budget of £17.5m over the last six years.

Linsey Farnsworth said: “The Tory-run Derbyshire County Council is failing our children – that’s the message I have heard time and time again from my constituents.

“The heartbreaking stories from these families are repeated across the county, with them feeling ignored from an unresponsive council, and emotionally drained from having to fight for their children at every step. It shouldn’t be this way. 

“SEND provision in Derbyshire is at crisis point. These survey results and the Ofsted/CQC inspection paints a picture of the utter chaos the services are in. It is time for a fresh start under Labour.”

The Labour group has prioritised ackling the crisis in SEND provision at the heart of its campaign to win the council at the local elections taking place on 1st May this year. 

Labour Group leader Joan Dixon said: “The Conservatives in Derbyshire are failing every generation, but especially our children. The state of SEND provision, which is supposed to support some of our most vulnerable children, is appalling. 

She said that if Labour wins the County Council elections on 1st, it would fix the foundations and invest in the futures of those who need it most - working alongside Labour MPs and the Labour government who she added: "...know this vital service must be a priority.”

A statement said that, since coming into office, the Labour Government has committed to reforming SEND services after being left in what the party described as "a mess" by 14 years of the Conservatives in Downing Street.  It added that the Treasury is "putting money where its mouth is" and detailed  a £1bn boost in SEND funding announced at the Budget and an additional £740m capital investment with the aim to create more specialist places in mainstream schools.

Labour MP for Erewash Adam Thompson said: “This is an issue I hear about every day, with families in Erewash facing an uphill battle against Tory-run Derbyshire County Council over the care of their children.

“I believe in the power of education to change lives, and that all children, regardless of their circumstances, have a fundamental right to an excellent education. 

“But Derbyshire’s children are being failed by the Conservatives. It is time for change.”