A mother from Tring has branded Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) a “shambles” as the cost of her prolonged legal battle to secure proper education for her daughter exceeds £20,000.
Last month, TRINGnews reported on issues with HCC’s provision of education for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). A local resident who wishes to remain anonymous, got in touch to share her story.
The resident spoke of the “nightmare” of trying to secure a college spot for her daughter, now 19, who has Rett syndrome and is non-verbal, in a wheelchair, and needs 24-hour care.
The mother spoke of how, for four years, her daughter did not receive an effective Educational Care and Health Plan from HCC.
After identifying a college in Cheltenham as the best setting to accommodate her daughter’s needs, she was left devastated when the council insisted on placing her elsewhere.
When the mother spoke with staff at the college the council had chosen, they allegedly told her that they didn’t have the proper staff or facilities to accommodate her daughter.
The mother, who has spent more than £20,000 as she prepares her case for tribunal in May, scoffed at Leader of HCC councillor Richard Roberts’ assertion that they are “putting children before money”.
She said: “They’re absolutely putting money before children. Parents are getting into enormous amounts of debt. I’m aware of some people who have had to sell their house to pay for high court fees.”
HCC has been contacted for comment.
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