A HEXHAM mum has set up a petition calling for Northumberland County Council to improve SEN (special educational needs) provision in the west of the county.

Lucy Richardson's seven-year-old son Seth has autism and ADHD.

He currently attends Sele First School on a flexible timetable.

He is about to start Year 3 in September, but Lucy is unsure where Seth will go after he finishes Year 4.

"With his complexity of needs, it's obvious that after Year 4, there is nowhere around here that is suitable for him," said Lucy.

She said while Hexham Priory School is an "outstanding SEN provision", the setting is not suitable for Seth.

There are no other specialist schools for learners with SEND in the west of Northumberland.

"Like so many other children, Seth falls into a category that is somewhere right in the middle of belonging in a mainstream setting but needing specialist support with his learning," said Lucy.

"At present, our options would be to home-school, to attend a local mainstream middle school - none of which are appropriate settings to meet his complex needs - or to attend a specialist provision in the east of the county, some 50 minutes drive away and only if he is accepted after being placed on a lengthy waiting list.

"None of the above, I feel, are acceptable solutions for Seth and I am confident I am not the only parent out there with these concerns."

Lucy added: "They're essentially being penalised because of where they live in terms of what provision they have. It's like a postcode lottery.

"I've heard of some families that have actually moved house so that it's easier to be near the east of Northumberland to access provisions like Collingwood.

"We've got all this space, such as the old HMS site for example, there are loads of redundant buildings. It could easily be transformed into a provision suitable for pupils with SEMH (social, emotional and mental health) needs.

"Children like Seth deserve the right to be educated amongst their friends and peers in their local community, so that they can thrive socially as well as academically."

Last week, a member of Northumberland County Council’s shadow cabinet backed a policy she hopes will put an end to young people with disabilities forced to travel miles away from home for education.

Cllr Angie Scott, who represents Prudhoe North and is shadow cabinet member for Children’s Services, welcomed the news Northumberland Labour has committed to investment in ‘specialist hubs’ in the event they take control of the council.

In its manifesto for last year’s local elections, the party explained that the policy would make sure provision was available to families across Northumberland, in a bid to avoid costly out-of-county placements and additional stress on families.

Leader Scott Dickinson has confirmed the work would continue if Labour became the largest party in 2025.

Cllr Scott, who herself has a child with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND), said: "The purpose of the hubs is to provide opportunity for children with complex SEND to be included in a mainstream environment alongside their peers. Therefore the ‘hubs’ are adapted classrooms within the school buildings.

“The ethos of the hubs is for the children who attend them, to be included within mainstream activities as far as possible. How much time a child spends in the ‘hub’ as opposed to a mainstream class will be dependent upon the child’s needs and their response to inclusion opportunities.

“The council has inequalities as a key priority, but they need to look at where our SEND kids are going to school. If a child has to travel, they’re not included or known in their own communities.

“SEND children from Prudhoe, from the age they start school, have to travel to Morpeth and Blyth. My son had to travel to Collingwood School every day.

“They are expected to travel miles. Something needs to be done.”

Supporting Cllr Scott’s comments, Cllr Dickinson added: “The Labour Party started change on SEND services back in 2015 recognising the need of the young people and their families. We have always advocated for better SEND services that prevent long displacing travel and prevent young people from opportunities to flourish in their own communities.

“The current arrangements do not support young people’s needs nor the families themselves.”

Audrey Kingham, Joint Interim Director of Children’s Services, Northumberland County Council, said: “Giving every child in Northumberland the best start in life is a top priority for the council.  

“We are making major investments in new and refurbished education and learning facilities across the county to create a school system fit for the future and ensuring we have the right provision for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is key to this.  

"In Northumberland, the number of children and young people who have been diagnosed as having social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs has been increasing, with significant additional capacity being required year on year. 

"We are currently developing a school place strategy that we will launch in Autumn 2022 to make sure we meet all our children’s needs as close to home as possible. 

"We thank our families for their patience and understanding as we adapt to current challenges and ensure all our young people can reach their full potential."