A mother facing challenges shared her emotional experience when her child was turned away from a school summer club due to his special needs. Recent findings from disability charity Sense indicate that only a small percentage of children with special educational needs and disabilities in England will receive holiday club support this summer.
The research also highlights that a significant number of councils in England do not offer holiday clubs for disabled children, leaving over 61,000 children without access to such services. This situation is leading some parents to leave their jobs to provide full-time care, while others struggle to afford private support, which can be costly.
Zoe Hodgson, a mother of a four-year-old with special needs, expressed the challenges she faces during the summer holidays. Zoe is awaiting an official autism diagnosis for her son, Theo, and is disappointed that he misses out on social interactions due to the lack of suitable support. She recounted a distressing incident where Theo was denied entry to a holiday club despite her payment and prior communication about his needs.
The limited availability of support is a concern for Zoe and many other parents across the country. The absence of inclusive holiday clubs impacts families financially and emotionally, with some parents being forced to leave their jobs to care for their disabled children.
Another parent, Kathryn Mulroy, had to quit her job to support her children, two of whom have additional needs. The lack of accessible holiday clubs for her children with autism and other disabilities has made it challenging for Kathryn to balance work and caregiving responsibilities.
The report from Sense sheds light on the struggles faced by parent carers in finding suitable holiday clubs for their disabled children. The organization emphasizes the need for more support and funding to ensure that all children, regardless of their abilities, have access to enriching activities during school breaks.
Sense urges parents to seek assistance from local authorities for children’s social care support, including resources for holiday clubs and childcare. While efforts are being made to address these challenges, there is a recognition of the ongoing difficulties faced by families with disabled children.
In response to the situation, the Department of Education highlighted investments in programs like the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) initiative to provide children with healthy meals and engaging activities during the summer. The government encourages councils to collaborate with providers to accommodate children with special needs and offers additional support through various schemes aimed at families during the holiday period.