I was pleased with the motion at conference on Sunday, where conference overwhelmingly voted to back the SEND education motion. The debate consisted of those who had experienced that system as a child, facing adversity at school, others were parents who had to navigate the system where waits for EHCPs are well over the legal limit, or schools simply do not provide support. In this article, I wish to highlight the issues that a third group face, our young carers.
We are the party of carers, and thus I was disappointed not to see any young carers voices emphasised in this debate, there is a fresh perspective to be had. The SEND education system, as it currently stands, places many more siblings in the position of a young carer. A lack of holiday provision, and a lack of wrap around care for school, plunges many more young people into the position of carers. My brother has a global learning disability, which makes life challenging, not as challenging as others, granted, but certainly not easy! He goes to a special school twenty miles from where we live. My mother is a GP, working until 6pm on certain days. School finishes at 3.15 pm. This is where the problem lies. There is no wraparound care whatsoever. We can feel bored sitting at a GP surgery, waiting, at the best of times. Now, imagine trying to do this as a 9 year old with special educational needs. The solution? I look after him as often as I can.
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