PARENTS with children who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can discuss their concerns at a roundtable session with local MP Rachel Gilmour in Minehead on October 31.

Mrs Gilmour said this week that she was keen to work with parents and local authorities to ensure children in the Minehead area with special educational needs received timely and comprehensive support, especially when it comes to Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP) timeframes.

She said the round table session - at Minehead Baptist Church from 1-2pm - would not address specific issues but discuss SEND more broadly. A form will also be available for parents to report any specific issues. No appointment will be needed to attend the roundtable session.

Mrs Gilmour added that the round-table would be taking place during half term and give parents the chance to pass on any concerns and problems they had about the current SEND system and how it affected their children.

She said: “Since my election last year, my office has heard from hundreds of parents across the constituency who have faced delays in receiving an EHCP for their child, leaving them without the vital support they need.

“I hope that these sessions are good way for the community to work together on the future of SEND provision.

“As well as this round-table, ahead of the autumn budget, I will also be campaigning for central government to provide more funds and resources so that local authorities can manage the large number of SEND cases, as I know this is a struggle for local authorities up and down the UK.”

West Somerset schools get base funding of around £6,000 for children with special needs and further amounts for students with EHC plans. These detail a child’s needs and outline the support they need to achieve their goals.