The TV presenter, whose four children with her husband David Grant are neurodivergent, says that getting education, health and care plans (EHCPs) change the family’s life

As the clock strikes midnight, Carrie Grant, a well-known TV presenter, sits at her dining table illuminated by a single light. Stacks of paperwork surround her—assessments, medical reports, and letters from schools. In the quiet of the night, she reviews the latest information regarding education, health, and care plans (EHCPs) for her four neurodivergent children. The stakes are high. For Carrie and her husband, singer and broadcaster David Grant, EHCPs are more than bureaucratic documents; they represent lifelines for their children and a chance for a brighter future.

The Weight of the System

“As a Special Educational Needs (SEN) parent, you become the underbelly of society—the flea on the underbelly,” Carrie passionately asserts, reflecting on the isolation many families experience. Her children—Olive, 30, Tylan, 23, Arlo, 19, and Nathan, 15—face significant challenges navigating a system often ill-equipped to support them. The anticipated government white paper regarding reforms to the special educational needs and disabilities system has stirred anxiety, raising fears that essential services like EHCPs could disappear.

On a societal level, the situation is alarming. Research conducted by the National Autistic Society indicates that approximately 700,000 people in the UK are on the autism spectrum, yet the educational landscape remains riddled with barriers. “We are witnessing a systemic failure,” says Dr. Sarah Mitchell, a prominent educational psychologist specializing in neurodiversity. “If EHCPs are abolished, it will push many children further into the margins of our education system.”

Understanding EHCPs

EHCPs function as detailed documents designed to outline a child’s educational needs, ensuring they receive tailored support. Carrie explains the profound impact these plans had on her family:

• Protected rights to education for neurodivergent children.
• Access to tailored resources and therapies as mandated by law.
• A framework for schools to understand and support specific needs effectively.

“Without that legal backing, my child would be back in their bedroom,” Carrie emphasizes, echoing the sentiments of many families battling for educational security. “We’ve got children ending their lives over this because they are at the bottom of the pile.” The emotional toll for both children and parents can be overwhelming, leading to a cascading effect on mental health and family dynamics.

Reflections and Revelations

In her role as a caregiver, Carrie has often had to juggle multiple identities: parent, teacher, and therapist. The challenges are manifold, as she illustrates, “I became not just a parent, but a full-time carer. We had a nightmare trying to access mental health services.” Her son Arlo, for instance, was out of school between ages 11 and 14 due to a lack of services that matched his needs. This period left scars that would take years to heal.

Carrie recalls a moment of relief when they finally found a school willing to accept Arlo’s EHCP. “He flourished there, grew proud of being autistic, realized his gifts were valuable,” she tells me. “But still, he missed three crucial years of childhood. Three years he’s still processing.”

Advocacy and Awareness

Realizing that many families share similar struggles, Carrie and David established a support group that has grown to include over 300 families over the last 13 years. This grassroots effort serves as both a lifeline and a platform for advocacy. “These parents are often gaslit and told it’s their fault,” she states, underscoring the stigma surrounding neurodivergence. “We hear the most incredible stories of suffering, tales of resilience in the face of a system that feels broken.”

Experts have echoed her concerns, warning against the potential dangers of dismantling established support systems. “Parents are not after a ‘golden ticket,’” Dr. Mitchell adds. “They simply want access to an education that works.” The financial implications of not addressing this crisis are also substantial; failure to invest meaningfully in special educational needs now could create a socioeconomic burden in the decades to come.

The Impending Crisis

“Around 300,000 children are currently out of school,” Carrie shares, her voice tinged with urgency. “Many parents are forced to homeschool because of a lack of appropriate options.” The prospect of losing EHCPs not only threatens educational pathways but also puts mental health and emotional well-being at risk. “This is about balancing the books and funding—our children cannot be a line item in a budget.”

The looming question remains: How can society invest in a sustainable future for these children? As Carrie succinctly puts it, “Failure is expensive.”

In an age where inclusivity should be a guiding principle, parents like Carrie advocate for systemic change while fighting for their children’s rights. The emotional toll is immense, but the resilience of families like hers illuminates the path forward.

As she closes her paperwork for the night, Carrie reflects, “To take away the very little our children have—which is their right to education—feels terrifying. We need change, but we cannot lose the precious protections that EHCPs provide.”

Source: www.mirror.co.uk