Claire Young MP calls for end to SEND prosecution scandal

Thornbury & Yate MP Claire Young has urged the Prime Minister to take action to stop parents of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) from being prosecuted for failings within the system that result in children missing out on key classroom time.

At Prime Minister’s Questions today, the Liberal Democrat MP highlighted the “outrageous” situation that sees parents threatened with fines and prison time – even if the reason their child is absent from school is due to them not getting the support they need.

Ms Young pressed the Prime Minister to support an amendment tabled in the House of Lords by Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Lord Storey, which would prevent school attendance orders being applied to children with SEND.

In response, the Prime Minister agreed there were challenges to school attendance for pupils with SEND but failed to agree to review the approach and protect parents from prosecution.

Commenting after PMQs, Claire Young MP said:

“All of us want to see our children happy and learning, but sadly for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities that is not always the case. Without the right support, some struggle to attend school.

“When this happens, it is parents that are left paying the price. Rather than their child getting the support they need, the parents can face fines, prosecution or even prison time because of their children’s low attendance. Punishing parents for the failings of a broken system is outrageous.

“I am glad the Prime Minister agreed there were challenges here, but he failed to offer anything more than warm words. This is a slap in the face to parents who are being pushed to their wits end.

“This scandal will not be solved until those at the top of Government recognise it is happening and agree to make changes to stop it. I will continue to stand up for pupils and parents, to ensure we put the focus on learning rather than where it happens.”