As a concerned parent of a 6-year-old son diagnosed with autism and global development delay, I am deeply troubled by the actions of this local council. My son is non-verbal and currently out of school because no mainstream school can accommodate his needs, yet there are no available places at special educational needs (SEN) provisions. This situation is not unique to us and affects many families including those in Warwickshire and across the country.

On January 25th this year, three County Councillors - Morgan, Golby, and Hammersley - were recorded stating that SEND children should be "dealt with in the old ways" and denied support as it was probably "parenting skill shortages." This discriminatory viewpoint is unacceptable from those who hold public office. Their words reflect a broader issue within many in local (and national) government seeing high needs SEND funding as a costly burden rather than an ethical and legal duty to provide for our children with disability entitlements.

According to the National Autistic Society UK, more than 1 in every 100 children have some form of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These children require specialized education services tailored to their individual needs. Yet due to inadequate funding allocation by councils like Warwickshire across the country, these services remain inaccessible for many families.

We demand that Warwickshire County Council Conservative Group immediately withdraw the whip from Councillors Morgan, Golby, and Hammersley for their discriminatory remarks against SEND children and their families and ask that the Group recommends all 3 Councillors resign from their positions in public office with immediate effect.

If the Conservative Group is unwilling to do this, we ask the 3 Councillors each put the integrity of Warwickshire County Council above their own self interest and do the decent, respectable, honourable thing and resign immediately.

Furthermore, we seek an immediate review of SEND funding within the council's budget allocations and demonstrable evidence Warwickshire's disabled children and families interests are prioritised and protected going forward. 

Every SEND baby, child or young person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, as do all their families. The conduct of the 3 Councillors clearly demonstrated views in opposition and conflict with these fundamental rights, breaching the Council's Code of Conduct, the Equality Act and the Nolan Principles.

Please sign this petition if you believe in equal opportunities for all children regardless of their abilities. Stand with us in demanding justice for our kids today!