NEW proposals revealed last week for handling the placements of children with special education needs have been blasted by one parent who thinks it’s not only going to hurt her children but every pupil involved in the Barnsley Council-run service.

Becky Parkin has been dealing with special educational provisions for years now, as her two children Cohen, 12, and Brax, 11, have SEND needs.

By supporting them through their time at Shafton Primary Academy, she has become involved with its governing board and been in regular contact with MP Stephanie Peacock to try to make sure that the needs of not only her children but all those in the area are met.

However, she has been facing issues as her children move up to secondary school, with Cohen being kept out of year seven and receiving some one-to-one tuition, while plans for Brax are still up in the air as he prepares to move due to a lack of facilities available to support their needs.

New proposals have only exacerbated these issues, with an announcement from the Department for Education (DfE) stating that mainstream schools should take in more SEND children, and make reasonable adjustments where necessary with both boys now recommended to attend Carlton Outwood Academy.

Becky told the Chronicle: “Basically, the government’s answer is to place as many high-need SEND children and young people into mainstream settings that can’t meet needs.

“Cohen and Brax can’t read or write independently but are cognitively very able. Brax can’t even write his surname, so how he will cope in mainstream high school is beyond me and everyone that has ever met him.

“Barnsley Council accept that both boys need constant one-to-one support throughout the day.

“Carlton are clear they can’t provide this and also that other parents are being promised this as well.

“So I’m in a situation where I will have two high-need SEND children out of school, and will no doubt be prosecuted for non-attendance.

“These are kids with 100 per cent school attendance because of the phenomenal support put in place in primary school and the relationship I have with school to be able to support with this.”

Beyond education, there are safeguarding concerns for the two children, as Brax suffers with extreme anxiety and Cohen has distressing episodes described as ‘stims’.

“Cohen ‘stims’ a lot,” Becky added.

“He frantically bites his hands to the point he makes them bleed and he slaps himself around the face and head and makes loud groaning noises.

“He would be excluded on the first day because without supervision and someone familiar enough to help him regulate, he can’t cope.

“Both boys have extremely complex needs, that absolutely can’t be met by Carlton and the impact of this whole situation is having a massive impact on their mental health.

“Cohen can’t understand why he isn’t ‘allowed’ to go to school because he wants to learn.

“Brax hasn’t been sleeping because he was so worried about Cohen not having a suitable school place and now the same thing is happening to him.

“But if they go to mainstream school how’s this going to affect other kids?

“Cohen’s support worker burst into tears when she first saw him ‘stim’ it’s really distressing.”

Stephanie Peacock, Barnsley South MP, said: “It is important that children with special educational needs and disabilities are supported in the way that’s best for them.

“I’ve worked with the parents, the local authority, and schools on the issue of SEND. Do reach out to my office if I can support you.”