Zoe Hodgson broke down in tears when her four-year-old son Theo was turned away from a school summer holiday club because of his additional needs. 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.
One in ten councils offer no holiday clubs
The findings 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. This crisis is forcing some parents to quit their jobs to fulfil full-time care needs, while others struggle to afford private support that can cost hundreds of pounds a week.
Zoe, a 25-year-old mum-of-two from Cardiff, is currently waiting on Theo's official autism diagnosis, which she calls a "long road" with extensive wait times. Despite paying £150 for a school holiday club and believing Theo had a place, staff told her they 'can't have him' after she mentioned he wasn't toilet trained and wore pull-up nappies.
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', she felt a lump in her throat and broke down in tears. "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."
Parents forced to quit jobs
The 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 nine-year-old son has autism, a severe learning disability, and Pica, while her daughter Florrie, 8, has autism and a learning disability. Both are non-verbal.
Kathryn explains: "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."
Postcode lottery in provision
Sense warns that the consequences extend beyond disabled children missing out on summer activities. 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. However, local authorities interpret their duties differently, leading to what Sense calls a 'stark postcode lottery' in provision.
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. 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."
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. We expect councils to work with providers to plan how they include children with SEND, so no child misses out."
