Financial and Emotional Strain of SEND Childcare
Natalie, a 39-year-old single mother from Birmingham, has expressed the financial and emotional anxiety she experiences when trying to find suitable childcare for her eight-year-old son Azuriah during the summer holidays. Azuriah is autistic, non-verbal, and has global development delay. The national charity Sense has highlighted a shortage of accessible holiday clubs across England.
"I think it's incredibly unjust that children like Azuriah don't have as much of an offering as their peers,"said Natalie.
Birmingham City Council stated its commitment to collaborating with parents and carers to enhance services.
Natalie also mentioned her reliance on charities such as Sense for support.
Financial Shock of Summer Holidays
Natalie works part-time as a freelance HR advisor but has had to reduce her working hours or cease working entirely during the summer holiday period. She cannot depend on family assistance as both her parents are undergoing cancer treatment.
"Naturally, the six weeks' holidays is the biggest financial shock to someone like me,"she explained.
"It's not a scenario where I can work whilst he's in a holiday club.
It's been a particularly difficult balance to create with employers. Also, there's no rest, so it can be exhausting."
Many parents nationwide share Natalie's experience, with some establishing their own solutions outside local authority provisions.
Examples include a special needs travel firm inspired by a daughter, parents creating their own SEN summer camp, and childcare hubs serving as holiday lifelines for SEND parents.
Natalie is already struggling to balance work and childcare and has frequently had to change jobs.
"The understanding around how much SEND childcare is, I don't think is understood by employers,"she said.
Specific Needs Require One-on-One Care
Natalie emphasized that Azuriah requires one-on-one care at holiday clubs due to his specific needs.
"Typical summer clubs are really reliant on children being independent. What Azuriah needs is one-on-one support for things like meals, toilet time, breaks and managing emotions.
He tends to take off his shoes, but it might not be suitable in that environment to take off your shoes.
He will turn washing up or bathtime into a water park. We end up managing water damage [at home].
We tend to find that home is our only safe space. Being accommodated in different settings is very difficult."
Limited Availability and High Costs
For this summer, Natalie has secured Tuesday and Thursday sessions at a charity-run club, paying £80 upfront for each four-hour session.
"Demand is so high that last year I got nothing because I applied too late,"she said.
"This year, I saved up so I could book in May, but I still don't have two days of childcare a week.
Azuriah's Tuesday and Thursday sessions only last four hours, which doesn't leave me much time to work or rest."
She urges the local authority to provide support comparable to that offered by charities.
"They [charities] have allowed us to have what resembles somewhat a normal life.
Private holiday clubs that could meet his needs cost £100 to £140 a day, which I can't afford.
I would implore them to listen to parents and find out what works for them.
We should be doing everything in our power to allow them to thrive and access a happy life.
If their purpose is just to be happy, we should make that happen."
Research Highlights Gaps in Provision
Research by the national disability charity Sense indicates that thousands of children with disabilities live in areas without holiday club provision, leaving parents and carers struggling to find assistance.
According to a Freedom of Information request by Sense, only 6% of disabled children in Birmingham receive holiday club support through the city council.
In response, Birmingham City Council stated it is "committed to continuing to improve services and working closely with parents and carers."
"The city's offer includes leisure activities and support during school holidays, working with partners across all sectors, and our Holiday Activities and Food programme for children with special needs, and in receipt of free school meals, remains extremely popular.
It is not only great fun for children but provides support for parents and carers during the school holidays,"said a council spokesperson, adding that additional information is available on its website.
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and Further Information
- Minister meets parents and teachers over SEND reform
- Summer activity programme for children to launch
- Council defends axing kids' holiday meal vouchers
For more details, see the Birmingham Holidays Activities programme.
