Surrey SEND Families Face September Education Crisis

Hundreds of Surrey Families Left in Limbo as Term Approaches

As the new academic year looms just days away, families across Surrey are facing an anxious wait. More than 300 children receiving specialist Education Other Than At School (EOTAS) provision remain without formal confirmation of their support packages from Surrey County Council. For communities across Dorking, Horsley, East Horsley, Woking and Guildford, this uncertainty is deeply personal. One family in Ewhurst, whose 14-year-old son Harry requires tailored tuition and forest school attendance due to autism, has endured what they describe as “a summer of uncertainty.” Harry's parents have spent seven years building a successful alternative education programme that has transformed their son from a struggling student into a thriving teenager. Yet as September approaches, they still lack the legal documentation confirming continued provision. This is not an isolated case. The advocacy group Measure What Matters estimates that several dozen families across the region face similar circumstances, leaving parents uncertain whether they'll need to abandon employment to become full-time carers or scramble for alternative arrangements at the last minute.

What's at Stake for Local Communities and Vulnerable Children

The impact of this administrative delay extends far beyond individual families. Surrey's SEND system is already under significant pressure, with over 19,000 children holding Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)—legal commitments that councils must honour. When provision isn't confirmed before term begins, it creates a domino effect across local communities. Parents may be forced to take unpaid leave or resign from jobs entirely. Children experience disrupted learning at a critical time. Local providers—including forest schools, home tutors, and alternative education venues—face uncertainty about their own financial forecasts and staffing needs. For a region encompassing Guildford's growing suburbs through to Horsley's rural communities, the EOTAS system represents essential infrastructure for vulnerable learners who cannot access mainstream schooling. The council acknowledges that pressures on SEND services are “being felt nationwide,” but local families argue this shouldn't excuse operational failures at the county level. Without confirmed provision packages by September, some children could face months without appropriate educational support, undermining years of careful progress and specialist work.

What Happens Next: Your Rights and Where to Turn for Help

Local authorities have a legal duty to provide education for all children, including those with complex needs. If your child's EOTAS or Alternative Provision (AP) package isn't confirmed by the start of term, here's what you should know. First, contact Surrey County Council's SEND Team directly and request written confirmation of your child's provision. Keep detailed records of all communications. If nothing arrives by the first week of September, escalate to your MP—Chris Coghlan (Dorking and Horley) has already raised alarm bells at the council. Connect with local advocacy groups like Measure What Matters, which can provide guidance and collective pressure. Parent support organisations across Surrey can also advise on your rights. Document any costs you incur—if you self-fund provision while waiting for council confirmation, keep receipts. This matters for potential reimbursement claims. Watch for council communications on their website and social media. The cabinet member for Children, Families and Lifelong Learning has stated that “additional commissioning resource” has been deployed, but families deserve transparency on timelines. If your child's wellbeing is at risk, consider consulting an educational psychologist or SEND solicitor. Don't wait—take action this week.

Source: Some Surrey SEND children face losing tuition in September

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