Government must offer 'real money' says Harrogate's MP to solve SEND crisis

Mr Gordon said that SEND schools in Harrogate and Knaresborough were already at capacity.

He also highlighted concern over the long overdue specialist school at the Bilton Woodfield site which is still yet to open.

And he had received reports from parents report that Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) for pupils continue to not be met, and there were lengthy delays and gruelling battles to secure them in the first place.

The cost of SEND provision in North Yorkshire was coming under increasing pressure, said Harrogate’s Lib Dem MP.

Without proper Government investment in SEND, any reforms were doomed to fail, he added.

“The outlined proposals are a slap in the face to parents and children.

"Families who have fought for years to secure basic support for their children deserve clarity and reassurance, not uncertainty about whether hard-won rights will be stripped away.

"Reform of our broken special educational needs and disabilities system is long overdue.

"But any changes must be properly resourced with the funding required and trust must be rebuilt with parents who are fearful of losing the support their children rely on.”

Tom Gordon MP is supporting Lib Dem calls for new measures to revive the system.

This would include an 8% cap on profits for special private schools, for SEND schools to be given Critical National Infrastructure status and the introduction of better early intervention, including universal screening for SEND.

Mr Gordon is to host an event for parents and carers of SEND children and SEND practitioners in March to discuss any concerns or feedback about the Government’s white paper.

Anyone interested in attending should get in touch directly.

"I have listened to so many families fighting a losing battle just to secure the most basic provision,” he said.

"This is too important to get wrong.

"We cannot ask parents to put their faith in another round of reform unless it is backed by real money.”