27/11/2025
FAO: All parents and guardians with SEND Children in the Wakefield District
(SEND = Special Educational Needs and Disability)
Wakefield Council met yesterday and, late last night, our District councillors discussed a motion put forward by Cllr Samantha Harvey, on behalf of our SEND children. An amendment to the motion was also presented by Cllr Jake Williamson, which only strengthened the motion even more. Extremely compelling arguments were presented by both Councillors to introduce some positive changes to an increasingly frustrating and broken system.
Labour Cllr Margaret Isherwood is a Cabinet Member and the Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People in our District. She stated earlier in the meeting that the children of Wakefield are the councilâs top priority. So, I expected her and her Labour colleagues to support such a much needed motion. Well, this was not the case. Instead, in response to the motion, she argued strongly against the proposed improvements and argued that the forums currently in place were working well and that she wasnât aware of any parent frustrations, which both Sam and Jake spoke passionately about. Essentially, she didnât see the need to make any changes and wasnât prepared to listen. So, she voted against the motion, together with ALL of the Labour Councillors. I can only presume that the Labour Whip gave instructions (prior to the meeting) for them ALL to vote in this way.
This is all captured on the councilâs live-streamed video, which can be found on YouTube, dated 26 November 2025, from 5 hours/56 minutes into the meeting. Prepare to be shocked!
As I hold a Special Guardianship Order (SGO) for a SEND child, I have first-hand experience in how the system works in Wakefield and what support Wakefield Council can offer. So, I took a particular interest in last nightâs discussion. I was disgusted at the flippant comments made by the Labour Party Councillors.
Yes, there are forums for parents of SEND children and they do talk daily and put forward their frustrations and argue that the systems in place are ineffective and letting them down. BUT THEY GET IGNORED! This point was completely disregarded by our Labour Councillors last night!
A 10 week turn round was stated last night, by our Labour Councillors. This is utter rubbish!
Our SEND kids are being home schooled because thereâs no other option. Secondary School just canât cope with SEND children. They receive the funding one minute and then they label the kids as naughty the next minute. The poor kids quickly get suspended and excluded and then expelled from school. Itâs a recognised pattern. The kids are seen as the problem. Theyâre then sent to another school and it becomes a vicious circle that goes round and round, until the child is expelled again. This custom and practice canât be right and it has to stop!
Every parent who has a SEND kid knows that they all have many different issues. Secondary Schools just canât and donât take everything into account before accepting the child. They just canât accommodate everything, yet they still accept the funding!
Iâve been fighting 7 years to get my child help (heâs 13 now) and itâs only when he was expelled from his first year in Secondary School that help was offered. Well over a year later though, Iâm still waiting for an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) to be put in place. Progress is painfully slow. My first attempt to obtain a EHCP years ago was turned down, even though they accepted my child needed additional support help in school. It is so frustrating!
Iâm personally grateful that forums exist, to learn from other parents who go through this. It gave me confidence to ask for help from my District Councillor when I had nowhere else to turn. I regard myself as fortunate because the school my child attends is now providing support â but itâs taken years to get here and nowhere near the 10 weeks quoted by the Labour Councillors.
Wakefield Council definitely need to recognise, accept face up to the problems with the current system, and start to look at better ways to support parents and SEND kids. It was stated last night that this impacts the education of 20% of our kids â so it isnât an insignificant issue â itâs huge!
