The TV presenter, whose four children with her husband David Grant are neurodivergent, says that getting a education, health and care plans (EHCPs) change the family’s life
TV presenter Carrie Grant says parents of children with special educational needs are treated like “a flea on the underbelly of society” as she warns Labour not to axe the care plans they rely on.
Her four kids with her husband – singer and broadcaster David Grant – are neurodivergent.
There are fears the government white paper, due in the autumn, detailing reform to the special educational needs and disabilities system could mean the end of education, health and care plans.
Carrie – whose kids are Olive 30, Tylan, 23, who played Brooke Hathaway in Hollyoaks, Arlo, 19, and Nathan, 15 – is also autistic.
READ MORE: ‘Broken system only gave my autistic daughter EHCP after missing year of school’
The 59-year-old mum, a regular on BBC1’s The One Show, said: “As a SEN parent you become the underbelly of society – the flea on the underbelly.
“There is a feeling of isolation because no one gets it, you’re gaslit and told it’s your fault.
“Our voices are not heard by professionals or politicians. My husband and I set up a support group for 300 families. We’ve been meeting for 13 years.
“We’ve heard the most incredible stories of suffering, of parents trying to keep going when every system is against them; when even their own families don’t get it.
“These stories are traumatising to hear. We have four children. Three of the children have had EHCPs, two are still in effect. Arlo was out of school from age 11 to 14, because there was no school available locally that could meet their needs.
“I became not just a parent, but a full time carer, teacher, therapist. We had a nightmare trying to access CAMHS [Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services].
“My child retreated into their bedroom, they felt they didn’t fit, would never fit, never be good enough, never be neurotypical enough – their esteem took a hit.
“At 14 we found a school and Arlo flourished. Arlo is now 19 and is off to mainstream college.
“Having an EHCP was life changing. Arlo became proud of being autistic and realised their gifts were valuable and they had a place in their environment. But Arlo missed three years of childhood – three years out of school – and is still processing the trauma from that.
“Around 300,000 children are out of school. Many parents have to school their own children, and taking away EHCPs will push children further into the margins.
“Having an EHCP means my child’s rights are, by law, protected and they can still have an education.
“Without that law in place my child would be back in their bedroom. We’ve got children ending their lives over this because they are at the bottom of the pile.
“EHCPs protect their right to an education and a future and give them a place in society and a value. Without them they will not have anything.
“When Tylan was 16, they got a job at Hollyoaks. Everyone at Hollyoaks was sent on two days of autism training. This is more training than most teachers have ever had. Tylan was loved and accepted by Hollyoaks and flourished there.”
She added: “To take away the very little our children have – which means their rights are protected in law and gives some reassurance – is terrifying.
“Parents are not after a ‘golden ticket.’ We just want our children to be able to access an education.”
Carrie added: “This is 100% about balancing the books and funding. For years the Government hasn’t wanted to invest and now the little investment we do have, could be taken away.
“Many people who voted Labour are shocked because of their actions on welfare and the PIP crisis. We’ve had decades of failing these children. Failure is expensive. We need absolute change to the system – but we need to keep the EHCPs in place.”