Petition to ask that SEND case workers actually meet the child they are supposed to be working for

[fedupwithbeingme]

https://chng.it/Bm7RcGBMGD

I think that would be completely unworkable. There are about 517,000 children with EHCPs in the UK, with 114,000 new applications last year, and 66,000 new plans last year.

The case workers have to make sure provision is in place. That takes time. They don't have time to meet the children routinely.

The Ed Psych, the teachers, therapy staff, etc., meet the children and report to the case worker.

Will never work. Far too many EHCP assessments being agreed with nowhere near enough caseworkers. They can’t recruit in my LA. Lots of caseworkers leaving due to harassment & abuse from parents. Impossible situation.

Where are the resources for these ‘demands’ going to come from? Sorry, this is a good idea in practice but how would it work realistically?

The case workers aren't the ones who make the decisions though. It is a multi agency panel so your targeting the wrong people here. Many case officers are leaving because ultimately they are the messenger. They don't have the level of decision making. But any major decisions are usually supported by the EP who would have seen the child. So as long as the EP report is factually correct there shouldn't be issue. The wider issue is funding..not enough funding for LAs to be able to give with an EHCP and not enough funding for schools to meet need or enough special school places. That's what you need to be challenging more. If there were sufficient funding you wouldn't be trying to blame the case officers for trying to their job in a helpless situation.