On Friday 21 April representatives from nine organisations met to discuss how best to support Islanders with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The meeting was hosted by MP Bob Seely following calls from Island families asking him to help.
On the Isle of Wight, families are facing long waiting lists to access assessments for Autism and ADHD diagnosis with some families waiting up to two years. However, long waiting lists are not just a problem on the Isle of Wight, demand for assessment is outstripping capacity in other areas of the country as well.
Last month the government granted funding for a new Isle of Wight-based SEND free school offering specialist support and education for 75 children aged between 4 and 16 with special education needs and disabilities, such as autism or social-emotional and mental health conditions.
MP Bob Seely said: “I am pleased that we have secured government funding for a new SEND school on the Island. It is important that all children have the right support to help them thrive.
“With that in mind, I know that some families are struggling to access support for their children in schools while waiting for an Autism or ADHD diagnosis.
“I was keen to get service commissioners and advocates of service users all in a room together to see what could be done to help families of neurodiverse children. I was really pleased so many organisations were represented, and I would like to thank those who attended for their time and input.
“We focused on what could practically be done in the short term to speed up support for children in schools with or without a diagnosis. The group will continue this work over the coming weeks and months, and I will be supporting them to help make their ideas a reality in any way I can.”
Mr Seely said he would be writing to NHS England asking for additional funding to support training programmes for teachers, working with Hampshire Education Officers to look at ways to encourage more schools to sign up for training, and exploring the possibility of a pilot scheme for the Island.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board, Isle of Wight NHS Trust, Isle of Wight Council, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Services, Parents Voice Isle of Wight, Autism Inclusion Matters, Isle of Wight Youth Trust, and the Youth Offending Team. The group plans to meet again later in the year.
