PARENTS in Cumbria have found themselves fighting together for a common cause as they say their children, who have demanding special educational needs, have been denied the support they need.

Emma Harry of Thornhill is amongst a number of parents who received notice on Saturday that their child had not been given a place at Special Educational Needs school, Mayfield.

Her son Noah, four, has severe autism and a severe learning disability. He struggles with sensory overload as well as lashing out when he becomes overwhelmed.

Emma said: “Noah’s name was put forward for a place at Mayfield along with an Education Health and Care Plan months ago as we held him back last year so we could get his plan in place.

“This year, with the huge help from Noah’s current nursery, his plan and application for Mayfield has been ready months in advance. And now he’s been denied a place – in September he’s got nowhere to go. We can’t hold him back another year again.”

Chris Sewell and his partner Emma Kirkbride of Whitehaven are in need of a place at Mayfield for their son Arthur, five. He has complex needs – autism, global development delay and type one diabetes – but they too received a rejection letter.

Chris and Emma are fighting to get Arthur a place which may mean going to a tribunal with Cumbria County Council to appeal the decision, along with several more parents.

Chris said: “The amount of undue pressure and stress it puts on the family, it’s unbelievable.”

Emma added: “There’s no way he can cope in a mainstream school.”

Arthur needs round-the-clock care as his type one diabetes could be life threatening if left unchecked.

They are willing to do whatever it takes. Chris said: “When it comes to your child... I’m going to do anything for him. I feel sorry for Mayfield. Anyone that’s anything to do with it must have a lot of compassion and want what’s best for the children.”

Cumbria county councillor and Cabinet member for schools and learning Sue Sanderson said: “Unfortunately, overall demand for places at the county’s special schools exceeds the number available each year.

"We understand parents’ frustration and we are lobbying central Government to provide the additional funding that is needed to meet the growing demand.

“This situation is not unique to Cumbria. Across the country local authorities are struggling to meet increasing demand due to inadequate Government funding. Where children do not secure a place they will normally be supported to attend mainstream school.”

Places at specialist schools are allocated by an independent panel based on need.

There is currently a total of 660 places across six Cumbrian Special Schools.

This year there were 121 applications for 76 available places.