A mother has described the moment she broke down in tears after her four-year-old son was turned away from a school summer holiday club because of his additional needs. Zoe Hodgson, from Cardiff, had paid £150 for the club, but staff said they couldn't take Theo after she mentioned he wasn't toilet trained.
Only 6% of SEND children get holiday club support
New research from disability charity Sense reveals that just six percent of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in England will receive holiday club support this summer. The findings also show that one in 10 councils across England commission no holiday clubs for disabled children in their areas at all, leaving more than 61,000 children missing out.
The crisis is forcing some parents to quit their jobs to fulfil full-time care needs, while others are struggling to afford private support that can cost hundreds of pounds a week.
'It was the reality check of it again'
Zoe, 25, is currently waiting on Theo's official autism diagnosis, which she calls a 'long road' with extensive wait times. She told the Mirror: "I told them 'he's not toilet trained, he's got autism, like I mentioned in the form' and that's when they apologised and said they couldn't have him."
After being told it was their 'policy', Zoe broke down in tears. She said: "I tried to hold it in, but as soon as they said he can't stay I could feel myself getting all upset, and I felt so teary. It was just the reality check of it again. I've been struggling, and as horrible as it sounds I can't even pay for a break."
She added: "I can't even pay someone to just take the edge off for a few hours and just keep him busy for me, so my daughter gets a break as well, because during the holidays, she hasn't really had any one-on-one time with me because my attention has been so on him [Theo] and making sure he's not destroying the house and not having meltdowns. It's really hard."
More than half of parent carers struggle
The troubling new report from Sense reveals that more than half of parent carers across the country struggle to find accessible holiday clubs for their disabled children, leaving one in three financially worse off. Of those affected financially, almost one in five have been forced to leave employment altogether.
Kathryn Mulroy, 37, from West Yorkshire, had to leave her job in mental health to support her three children, two of which have additional needs. Her son Myles, nine, has autism, a severe learning disability, and Pica, a condition where a person compulsively swallows non-food items. Her daughter Florrie, eight, was diagnosed with autism and a learning disability when she was four. Both children are non-verbal.
Kathryn said: "When Ashton was little, I had my pick of different clubs such as outdoor ones, arts and craft ones but for Myles and Florrie there is nothing. I had to give up work a few years ago anyway because of Myles' needs not being met in school. I speak for all parents with disabled children of any kind, not just autism, that summer holidays particularly is the time that we need help and more support."
'Stark postcode lottery' in provision
Sense warns that the consequences extend far beyond disabled children missing out on summer activities available to their peers. More than half (57%) of parent carers say finding accessible holiday clubs is difficult, with many describing the impact on their finances, employment and mental wellbeing.
Every disabled child is entitled to an assessment for children's social care support, which can include support and funding to access holiday clubs and childcare. However, local authorities interpret their duties differently and thresholds for support vary widely between areas – leading to what Sense calls a 'stark postcode lottery' in provision.
Kathryn explained that Myles requires two-to-one support, so he can't attend group sessions. She said: "Myles particularly gets turned away from a lot of places. I found a place in Bradford where they do holiday clubs for disabled children, but it's group sessions, and Myles is two-to-one and quite challenging so he can't go to that at all."
The mum admits she 'dreads' the six-week break and struggles with anxiety in the build-up, as she is constantly thinking of what she can do with her children. She said: "It's so stressful to have to be on constant high alert with zero help 100% 24/7, and a lot of the time with no sleep."
Sense calls for more support
Harriet Edwards, Director of Influencing at Sense, told the Mirror: "Sense's new research has revealed the impossible struggle so many parents face as they try and fail to find accessible holiday clubs for their disabled children. Since unveiling it, we have received an influx of supportive messages from exhausted parent carers.
"Parents are sharing their own difficulties, how they have been forced to cut their working hours and their fears that their child is missing out on opportunities to make friends and have fun. Most of all, they are telling us how relieved they are that we are highlighting this long-hidden issue - because they face the same childcare crisis every school holiday."
She added: "If parents need additional help, they should contact their local authority and ask for an assessment for children's social care support, which can include support and funding to access holiday clubs and childcare."
A spokesperson for the Department of Education said: "We're investing over £600 million in the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme to make sure children get healthy food and enriching activities over the summer. HAF is running across England right now and will reach hundreds of thousands of children by the end of the holidays.
"We expect councils to work with providers to plan how they include children with SEND, so no child misses out. Families can also benefit from our Great British Summer Saving scheme, with discounts on meals and attractions and free bus travel for children aged 5 to 15 throughout August."
