PARENTS and campaigners visited Parliament to call for improvements to services for people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in the county.
Tracy Winchester, a mum of two children with learning difficulties, was among those to visit the Houses of Parliament to discuss the urgent need for improvements to SEND services in Worcestershire.
Visiting on Wednesday, she and others called for improvements since 2018's initial failed OFSTED/CQC inspection of SEND services, relaunched as Worcestershire Parent Carer Forum' (WPCF) approximately 18 months ago.
Mrs Winchester said, since then, the leadership at both Worcestershire County Council and Herefordshire and Worcestershire ICB (NHS) have failed subsequent inspections, with the most recent inspection in 2024 leading to the lowest possible rating.
Chris Bloore MP said: "SEND services in Worcestershire have been failing families for far too long. Yesterday's meeting was a critical opportunity to bring MPs together across party lines to listen directly to the voices of parent-carers and demand meaningful change.
"I'm incredibly grateful to those families who came to Parliament to speak so powerfully about their experiences. It's clear from what we heard that despite improvement plans and ministerial oversight, children across Worcestershire are still being let down. We must move beyond warm words -- families need to see real, lasting change on the ground.
"We owe it to every child in Worcestershire to build a system that works for them, not against them. Today's meeting was a step forward, but the hard work starts now."
Matters raised included long, and still rising, waiting lists for neurodevelopmental assessments, 'neglectful' CAMHS services, including 'still discriminating against children and young people with an Autism diagnosis' and 'insufficient school places' from early years right through to post-16, both mainstream and specialist.
Tracy Winchester of SNCW/NWAPSG said: "The meeting was positive and the Worcestershire MPs listened and seemed to understand the gravity of the situation.
"We hope they will join us in working together to seek the changes to SEND services that are so desperately needed. The 'stalemate' cannot continue.
"Too many of our children's futures are in jeopardy as it stands. We are so pleased to have the support of Chris Bloore MP, to assist to champion our plight."
In a joint statement from the Local Area Partnership, on behalf of Worcestershire County Council and NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire Integrated Care Board, a spokesperson said: "We recognise the concerns raised by parent carers and remain committed to improving SEND services across Worcestershire. We meet regularly with our local parent carers and have strong links with our Parent Carer Forum to listen, learn, and co-produce solutions that address the challenges faced by children and young people with SEND.
"We continue to be closely monitored by Ofsted, the Department for Education, and NHS England who have noted the progress we are making in key areas. One example includes the proportion of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) completed within the statutory 20-week timeframe has risen from 30% in October 2024 to nearly 70% at the end of March this year.
"We know there is more to do, and we will keep working with parent carers, children and young people to drive the improvements needed."