Parents' experiences of special educational needs and disability provision in Sandwell

Healthwatch Sandwell undertook engagement on children with special educational needs and disabilities.  They had heard that there are challenges with accessing health and care services for the support that is required.  They interviewed parents and ran focus groups.

Although there have been positive changes to service provision for children and young people with special education needs there are still frustrations and concerns from parents/carers: 

• The lack of support from the child's GP
• The long wait for assessment for diagnosis
• The difficulties getting an educational health care plan in place
• Communication from the child adolescent mental health service
• The differences in support offered within mainstream settings for children with special educational needs.