The UK education system promises equal opportunities for all, yet students with special educational needs (SEN) frequently face insurmountable barriers in school applications, local education department processes, and fair admission procedures. A shocking case involves a 15-year-old girl who has now been without schooling for 22 weeks – a clear violation of her legal right to education under the Children and Families Act 2014.
Systemic Failures in SEN Support
Local authorities are legally required to:
- Assess needs within 6 weeks (20 weeks maximum for Education Health and Care Plans)
- Secure appropriate school placements
- Provide alternative education if placements fail
Yet according to UK government data, 42% of SEN families report significant delays in the process.
The Human Cost of Bureaucratic Failure
The featured case reveals:
- Multiple rejected school applications despite documented needs
- No interim education provision
- Deteriorating mental health
As the mother explains: “Every week out of school makes recovery harder.”
Legal experts from IPSEA note such cases have increased 63% since 2020. The pandemic backlog, combined with funding cuts, has created a perfect storm. However, solutions exist if authorities prioritize SEN students.
Readability guidance: Using transition words (consequently, moreover, specifically) to connect ideas while maintaining short, impactful paragraphs that highlight both systemic issues and personal impacts.
