Key Points
- The UK government is set to unveil major reforms to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision on 20 February 2026, aiming to clarify eligibility and support criteria nationwide.
- Parents in Barnet, North London, describe a “constant fight” to secure education for their academically able children with SEND, accusing the council of “life-threatening” failures.
- Barnet Council reports 4,906 under-25s (3.40%) have Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), slightly below London’s 3.44% average, with 19 caseworkers handling 278 children each—better than the London average of 300.
- Common issues include outdated EHCPs, unresponsive caseworkers, denied tuition funding, school placement failures, and “insufficient evidence” claims despite long-term school attendance.
- One Finchley Central parent notes better support in Haringey previously; her Year 6 son’s EHCP remains from Year 4, hindering secondary school placement.
- Parent Durim’s non-speaking autistic daughter lacks an EHCP after three years at school; school SENCO claims insufficient evidence, forcing private tuition.
- 18-year-old Keith, physically disabled, missed GCSEs due to off-rolling and hospital stays; denied council funding for non-core Japanese tuition despite tribunal wins.
- EHCP numbers in Barnet rose 138% over the past decade, with 49% increase from 2020-2024 and 104% rise in requests; council forecasts 5,500 by 2028.
- Barnet receives £20,080 per EHCP child—fourth lowest in London (average £23,000); national funding up 6.9% for 2025-2026.
- Government announced £5bn to clear 90% of councils’ SEND debt by financial year-end.
- Cllr Pauline Coakley Webb defends Barnet’s 14th national ranking for mainstream inclusion and 100% EHCP delivery within 20-week legal limit (England average 49.2%).
- Parents at MP Sarah Sackman’s meeting labelled council responses as lies, with funding promised then withdrawn.
Barnet, (North London News) February 23, 2026 – Parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Barnet are locked in a relentless battle for basic educational support, as the UK government prepares to announce national SEND reforms tomorrow. Maya Sall of Barnet Post reports that local families accuse Barnet Council of systemic failures, including outdated plans, unresponsive staff, and denied funding, despite children being academically capable. This comes amid a national crisis prompting government intervention to redefine eligibility and provision.
- Key Points
- Why Are Barnet Parents Facing a ‘Constant Fight’ for SEND Support?
- What Makes Securing an EHCP So Difficult in Barnet?
- How Do Physical Disabilities Disrupt Education for Older SEND Students?
- What National Reforms Are Addressing the SEND Crisis?
- Why Do Parents Accuse Barnet Council of ‘Lying’?
- How Does Barnet Council Respond to These Criticisms?
Why Are Barnet Parents Facing a ‘Constant Fight’ for SEND Support?
Parents in Barnet have shared harrowing accounts of battling the council for their children’s right to education. As reported by Maya Sall of Barnet Post, several families, often with multiple SEND children, described the process as a ‘constant fight’ despite academic ability. Issues range from tuition funding denied without explanation to unresponsive caseworkers and unsuitable school placements.
One parent from Finchley Central, who relocated from Haringey two years ago, told Barnet Post:
“We used to live in Haringey, and we were supported. But it’s been a mess since we moved to Barnet two years ago.”
She explained that her son’s Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)—legally required to be updated annually—has not been accurately revised since the move, despite repeated requests.
“My caseworker told me that it has been updated, but what they sent me was his EHCP from when he was in Year 4,”
the parent added. Her son, now in Year 6 and due for secondary school in autumn, faces placement struggles, with months passing without caseworker responses.
This parent continued:
“We feel like chess pieces, always getting moved around. We’re always being told to speak to someone else or fill in another form. They just delay and delay taking any action, and this has real consequences. My son doesn’t go to school everyday, is not getting an education, and his mental health is deteriorating.”
Barnet Council data shows 4,906 under-25s (3.40%) hold EHCPs, with 377 more supported without plans by schools. The borough employs 19 caseworkers—one per 278 children, exceeding London’s one-per-300 average.
What Makes Securing an EHCP So Difficult in Barnet?
For some, even obtaining an EHCP proves elusive. Parent Durim highlighted his non-speaking autistic daughter’s case to Maya Sall of Barnet Post. After three years at school, the institution claimed “insufficient evidence” for an EHCP.
“The school is telling me there’s insufficient evidence to get an EHCP. She’s attended school for three years, how is that not enough time?”
Without an EHCP, his daughter lacks one-to-one tuition, falling behind despite her brightness and love of learning.
“You shouldn’t have to fight for your child to get an education when they’re already in school,”
Durim stated. The school’s Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) informed him not every child qualifies for an EHCP. Councils hold a legal duty to identify and support SEND children, yet Barnet’s audit process relies on SENCO training.
A council spokesperson told Barnet Post:
“There is frequent training for SENCOs. The continual professional development training ensures that SENCOs, even those new to Barnet, know what support is in place. Many non-speaking children are well supported in schools and the expectation that every school employs a qualified SENCO means that they have a qualified SEND professional who has experience in implementing support for children speaking and non-speaking. Schools have access to services through the Local Authority’s services including the Autism Advisory team and Educational Psychology services.”
Government-funded tuition requires EHCP alignment, pushing families like Durim’s to private options for maths and English.
How Do Physical Disabilities Disrupt Education for Older SEND Students?
Eighteen-year-old Keith’s story exemplifies unpredictable support gaps. Physically disabled, he cannot attend college full-time and awaits part-time options post-19. Off-rolled twice—from a mainstream and an autism specialist school—plus hospital stays, he missed GCSEs. Since age 16, one-to-one tuition has sustained his studies.
Keith, who studied Japanese through secondary school, sought to continue but faced barriers. His mother, Saskia, explained to Barnet Post:
“We found a tutor independently, and applied to the council for funding, but they told us that because it’s not a core subject, they wouldn’t give it to us.”
The family now funds Japanese privately, requesting just two hours of council support.
“I understand that there is no money. But we’re only asking for two hours of funding, and we are covering the rest,”
Saskia has won two tribunals against Barnet Council.
“I could probably do that again, but that would take another year, by which time Keith can go to college.”
Keith added:
“Since I was 16 I’ve been stuck in a limbo period. It’s frustrating because I’m falling behind for no reason. Why did they take away my education?”
As the eldest of two SEND children, Saskia worries:
“We can’t do this forever, we’re going to run out of money. I know Barnet Council doesn’t have a lot, there’s been budget cuts since my son was seven, but we’re made to feel like it’s our fault.”
Barnet’s EHCP funding stands at £20,080 per child—fourth lowest in London versus £23,000 average.
What National Reforms Are Addressing the SEND Crisis?
The government’s 20 February 2026 plan seeks to clarify SEND support eligibility, as previewed in The Guardian. Earlier this month, officials pledged £5bn to erase 90% of councils’ SEND debts by financial year-end, per BBC reports. Barnet’s funding rose 6.9% for 2025-2026, yet pressures mount.
Why Do Parents Accuse Barnet Council of ‘Lying’?
EHCP numbers doubled (138%) in Barnet over the past decade. An unnamed Finchley parent attended MP Sarah Sackman’s meeting with 35 families last year, telling Barnet Post:
“Everyone there told their story and it was heartbreaking. We were given a stack of post-it notes and put our concerns and problems on the wall, and the overwhelming response was ‘they lie’. Barnet lies to us. They tell us we can have funding, and then next year, they take it away, or make it impossible to access altogether.”.
Saskia echoed:
“What we really want is to be treated with a bit of dignity, and to be told the truth. We understand the system, we know how to fight it. But there are parents and children out there who are falling through the cracks.”
How Does Barnet Council Respond to These Criticisms?
Cllr Pauline Coakley Webb, cabinet member for family friendly Barnet, responded to Barnet Post:
“The council is committed to ensuring that as many children as possible receive mainstream education, and this includes for children with SEND. Barnet is nationally ranked the fourteenth best local authority for mainstream inclusion. Barnet is also one of a few local authorities to deliver 100% of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) within the legal time limit of 20 weeks. The average delivery rate across England is 49.2%.”.
She noted:
“However, the increasing complexity of needs among children with SEND is placing unprecedented pressure on the mainstream and specialist systems. Barnet saw a 49% increase in EHCPs between 2020 and 2024 and a 104% increase in requests for EHCPs over the same period. We are currently forecasting 5,500 EHCPs by 2028.”
Investments include Local Inclusion Support, early intervention, and specialised packages.
“We appreciate the frustration that some parents or carers are experiencing to secure the best educational support for their children. We are committed to working closely with families to ensure that needs are understood and met to achieve the best possible outcomes for every child,”
These parental testimonies and council defences highlight Barnet’s SEND strains amid national shifts. Families urge dignity and truth, as reforms loom.
