As a mother of three children, two of whom have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), I am deeply troubled by the state of SEND services at Suffolk County Council. My personal experiences with these services have been nothing short of appalling, a sentiment echoed by many other parents in our community.

Recently, an Ofsted report was published that highlighted widespread systemic failures within the council's SEND services. This report raised significant concerns about the experiences and outcomes for children with special educational needs and disabilities in our county. Today the press has announced three senior councillors - Rachel Hood, James Reeder and Chris Chambers have resigned from their posts which has been met positively within the SEND parents community. However, I do not believe this goes far enough and would ask Nicola Beach and Councillor Hicks to consider whether their positions at Suffolk County Council remain viable.

From listening to what our community is saying, I am hearing lots of calls for a change in leadership and have yet to hear one person say they wish for either of you to remain in office. 

The CEO of Suffolk County Council, Nicola Beach, is ultimately responsible for this situation. The council leader, Councilor Hicks, should have done more to ensure the councilors occupying these positions had the knowledge and desire to perform their duties. Your praise of the councilors has caused anger from parents who expect a much better service from what you claim is a well-run council. Currently, staff time and money are being diverted from meeting children's needs to dealing with complaints whilst other children are simply left without the service they both need and deserve.

I have on numerous occasions contacted both Nicola Beach and Councilor Hicks regarding major concerns. On the whole my pleas for help were simply ignored. Occasionally I was advised Nicola was looking into or monitoring the situation however neither of them ever ensured it was rectified. On one such occasion it was only days later that services advised me they would once again break the law - this highlights the situation certainly wasn't being monitored well enough. I am aware I am not the only parent who has experienced this.

The Ofsted findings are not just statistics; they represent real children who are being let down every day by those tasked with supporting them. My own children are part of this narrative, their futures compromised by a system that is failing them.

We cannot stand idly by while our children's futures are jeopardised. It is time for Nicola Beach and Councillor Hicks to step down from their posts at Suffolk County Council. Their failure to provide adequate support for some of our most vulnerable citizens in Suffolk is unacceptable.

By signing this petition, you join us in demanding accountability from those in positions of power within our local government. Together we can ensure that all children receive the support they need to thrive regardless of their abilities.

Please sign this petition today – because every child deserves better than what Suffolk County Council's SEND services currently offer.