As the governments Schools white paper is published Scarborough and Whitby MP Alison Hume has revealed the findings of her own surveys into Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision across the constituency.
Released as the government unveils its next phase of long-term reforms for the sector, the results paint a troubling picture of delays, shortages, and systemic barriers that are preventing many children from receiving the education they deserve in Scarborough, Whitby and the villages.
One of the most concerning patterns highlighted by parents who took part was the link between delays in securing an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and children being out of school.
Families applying for an EHCP - or waiting for assessments and decisions - are more likely to have children missing from education entirely, with the journey described as “traumatising” and equivalent to holding down a full‑time job.
The surveys also uncovered a severe shortage of suitable SEND school places along the coast, with Whitby identified as a pressure point. Many children identified as “in-betweeners” - too complex for mainstream settings yet unable to meet strict criteria for special schools – find themselves following part-time timetables or without a formal education altogether.
Long waiting times for autism, ADHD and mental health assessments emerged as another key issue.
Ms Hume, who has relayed the views of her constituents to Ministers, said:
“Fighting for the SEND community was what inspired me to move into politics, but nothing could prepare me for the extent to which the system is broken in North Yorkshire.
“I have seen profoundly disabled students educated in corridors in unsuitable specialist school buildings, met families who have lost their jobs due to the unmet needs of their children and supported many others to access the help they are legally entitled to.
“The survey responses confirmed my worst fears but they also showed the extent to which dedicated staff are holding on by their fingernails and delivering results for students. Many parents were at pains to point out how much they appreciate what staff do.”
Ms Hume’s surveys discovered that professional educators - including school leaders, teachers and teaching assistants – feel under significant strain, with a majority disclosing that that supporting pupils with SEND now occupies most of their day.
Staff described juggling whole‑class teaching with crisis management, de‑escalation and personal care, often without sufficient external support. As a result, few pupils with SEND are meeting age‑related expectations, not due to lack of ability but because their needs are not identified or supported early enough.
Insufficient funding emerged as the biggest barrier to effective SEND provision, according to those working within the system.
Staffing shortages also pose a major challenge, with low pay contributing to difficulties recruiting and retaining experienced support staff among other issues repeatedly referenced.
Noting that the Department for Education has been restructured to place SEND at its core, while £3bn is being invested to create extra specialist places within mainstream settings,
Ms Hume said:
“The government reforms which will be announced are all about ensuring every child has access to an excellent, inclusive education.
“There will be a 12 week consultation following the publication of the White Paper and I hope that parents will join me at the events I will be running in the constituency.”
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