Suffolk SEND Families Face School-Place Crisis — One Child Now Attends Just One Hour A Day

As families across the country prepare for the new school term in September, some parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Suffolk remain uncertain whether their children will have appropriate school places.

Parents Say System Is Slow And Exhausting

Roxanne, a mother from Martlesham, says her five-year-old son Franklin — diagnosed with autism in November 2025 after assessments that began in 2021 — still has no confirmed place for the coming term. She describes a long, bureaucratic process to obtain a diagnosis, an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and a suitable school place.

"It just seems endless. You get the diagnosis that you have to fight for, get the EHCP that you have to fight for and then fight to get the school that you need for your child to access education. It's long-winded and it's very disheartening."

Roxanne says Franklin needs a calm area and the option to take time out when he becomes overwhelmed. During the final months of his first year, teachers reported he could not settle and he attended for only one hour a day. Roxanne says returning to that mainstream setting is not viable and the situation has taken a heavy toll on her mental health.

Xylina said her daughter, Lyla, needed constant supervision [Contributed]

Another Family Struggles To Find A Place

Similarly, Xylina, mother of seven-year-old Lyla, says her non-verbal daughter with autism and complex sensory needs requires constant supervision for safety. Lyla received specialist education in Felixstowe but must reapply for a place as she moves into Year 3 — and suitable options are proving hard to find.

"She needs constant supervision all the time, and that is just to keep her safe,"

Xylina says an initial mainstream placement led to daily calls from school, making it impossible for her to continue working as a mental health nurse and limiting future job prospects. She also reports incidents in which Lyla ate non-food items, requiring calls to NHS 111.

Data And Local Authority Response

Data obtained via a Freedom of Information request shows there were 366 SEND tribunal appeals between April 2025 and the end of that year. Between 2024 and 2025, just 24.6% of children with EHCPs were placed in specialist provision rather than mainstream schools.

Sophie Underwood is a child psychologist and says being out of education can have long-term effects for children [Contributed]

A Suffolk County Council spokesperson said the authority understands families' concerns and recognises school transitions can be an anxious time. The council said it is committed to working with families to help children with SEND access appropriate education and support, and urged families to contact their SEND caseworkers.

Improvements — And Ongoing Challenges

Inspections by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission earlier this year found that Suffolk's SEND partnership had taken "effective action" to address serious weaknesses identified in a critical 2023 inspection. Notable changes include a £9.1m investment in SEND services, creation of a SEND Improvement Board with an independent chair, large-scale recruitment into statutory SEND teams, and new quality assurance and data systems. However, inspectors also identified areas still requiring improvement.

Local child psychologist Sophie Underwood, who works with many SEND families, warned that prolonged absence from school can have long-term effects. She also noted that most schools cannot afford to employ specialists to support pupils, and that limited funding and places continue to strain provision.

If you have a story to share about SEND provision in Suffolk, local outlets encourage families to get in touch.