B came to Birmingham from another EU country with her son. It was clear – though she was too polite to say it directly – that she found her experience in this city a real contrast to the help she received elsewhere. B reflected back to us a nightmarish picture of the system in Birmingham…Read moreRead more
Stories Without Pictures
There is No One to Help You
We Need to Know How Many Unlawful Exclusions There Are…
J told us about her struggle to get to her son educated in a mainstream school. She made it clear she believes the school acted without regard to the law; and saw inclusion as an add-on it couldn’t afford. J, however, stuck to her demands and, eventually, it has been the school that has changed. …Read moreRead more
The Shame of Seeing Money Wasted
G has two children with additional needs. Her daughter is 21 and has global development delay. She is still battling to get her the support she needs. G’s non-verbal autistic son does get extra support – Birmingham City Council pays for him to go to a private school outside the city . But G feels…Read moreRead more
‘I Couldn’t Believe There Were No Resources…’
C’s child has autism. He is now 13 and at a special school in Birmingham, but the move to special school took more than a year. During the time he was in mainstream school and whilst the family waited for the assessments and reports to be done to get him a place at special…Read moreRead more
A Hellish Journey…
K told us about a 4 -5 year journey during which her daughter Q had little, or no, access to school. Laura commented: ‘I have rarely seen such inappropriate assessment and responses to a very bright, capable young girl who just needs a customised approach’. K’s daughter Q is now at a special school…Read moreRead more