'My support plan was my lifeline - Keir Starmer must not scrap them'
A disabled student has travelled to 10 Downing Street in her wheelchair to deliver a heartfelt open letter - signed by more than 10,000 people - to Keir Starmer asking him not to scrap EHCPs.
Nineteen-year-old Hannah Steadman, who has several chronic conditions - including epilepsy and autism - tells the Prime Minister how school became so challenging she felt she 'couldn't go in any more' until her 'life changed' after getting an educational health and care plan (EHCP) two years ago.
She is writing amidst fears that the government white paper, to be published in the autumn detailing reforms to the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system, could see EHCPs being scrapped.
She adds: 'Thanks to my EHC plan, I'm now looking to the future and planning to start a Level 3 Acting and Performance qualification at college in September.
'It is no exaggeration to say this plan completely transformed my experience of school.'
Before getting her EHCP, aged 16, south Londoner Hannah tells Sir Keir: 'By this point I was at home because my school had deemed me attending a health risk and a safeguarding issue.'
Describing how her plan meant she had transport, so she could get to school, how she had someone to push her wheelchair and her lessons were moved to the ground floor, making them accessible, she then tells the Prime Minister: 'I'd like to invite you to meet with me, and a group of other disabled young people, to talk about the difference an EHC plan has made to us.'
Speaking exclusively to The Mirror, Hannah, who is supported by the charity Ambitious About Autism, says: 'I was really excited to go to Downing Street. Knowing that 10,000 people have signed my letter feels incredible.
'When I was experiencing the worst of my issues in school it felt like no-one cared, so to know that many people are behind me is really great.
'I wanted to write this letter and to share my story, because I truly feel that having an EHCP was the thing that salvaged what was left of my education, and I want other young people to have that legal right to support too.
READ MORE: British traitor fighting for Russia brags he's won a medal for 'wiping out' Ukrainians
'Without an EHCP I would never have finished school as I was too exhausted to keep pushing back and fighting to get my needs met.
'Education opens up so many doors, and every young person should have the same right to an education, and the same standard of education. For me an ECHP was the thing that helped me to achieve that.
'I don't think the government really understands the impact of what would happen if they do scrap EHCPs, and how many lives that would disrupt.'
Stephen Kingdom, campaign manager for The DIsabled Children's Partnership - which represents 1.7 million children - says ECHPs are essential to ensure children with additional needs have the same opportunity as their friends to have an education.
He says: 'The SEND community is not asking for anything special - we are simply fighting for an ordinary education, an ordinary commute to school and a seat in a classroom where a child can learn.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
ALISON MCGOVERN: 'People are working hard but there are still too many being left behind'
Employment Minister Alison McGovern writes for The Mirror saying the government 'will ensure that everyone has the chance to succeed' as new job figures published No one knows better than Mirror readers that right now, people up and down the country are working hard — but there are still too many being left behind. In previous years, economic inactivity grew. That's people who aren't working and aren't able to look for work right now. Nearly three million people are out of work because they are sick, for example. If we want to grow our economy, we must do more than celebrate our talent — we must invest in it, develop it, and remove the obstacles that prevent people from thriving. Nearly a million young people are out of work and not learning either. They have the potential to earn a crust — but can't access the help and opportunities to get that first job, and that's when we all lose out. We've already made work fairer and more secure with increases to the National Minimum Wage and strengthening Statutory Sick Pay. We are investing in our energy, transport, and homes, all of which will create jobs. But to truly boost our economy, we also need to look beyond those already in work and extend support to those striving to enter it. That's why under our Plan for Change; we're backing talent by partnering with businesses to give people the skills they need to succeed in the jobs market, reaching out to 8,000 businesses to offer them a free support service. We're tackling structural barriers with huge investment in childcare, the NHS, and transforming our jobcentres to open up also investing in our young people by guaranteeing them the chance to earn or learn. We're not short of talent in this country. I see that every time I put the telly on, go to the football. Or when I meet the young people signing up to be apprentices in every field from building naval ships to cooking alongside great chefs in our seaside towns. The problem is making sure those with talent are given the support to rise. And with our Plan for Change, we will ensure that everyone has the chance to succeed. That will make all of us - young or old - truly proud.
Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Brits urged to avoid common sunscreen mistake as temperatures soar in fourth UK heatwave
Whether you're travelling to a hot country or experiencing this UK heat, this common sunscreen mistake causes burns - here's how to avoid that mistake and enjoy the sun instead Temperatures are set to reach 34C this week in what is set to be the the fourth UK heatwave of the summer. As amber health alerts are issued around the UK, travel experts at Alpine Elements explained how people can embrace the sun rather than being toasted by it. People often remember to use sunscreen but only consider applying it once. However, even high factor suncreams are not as effective after a few hours in the sun, especially if you have been swimming or sweating or towel-drying. The experts said: "Applying sunscreen just once isn't enough, especially in hot climates where UV levels are high. We see people put it on before breakfast and assume they're protected all day - but by midday that initial layer has worn away." Sweating or swimming also exposes your skin to the sun due to the breakdown of the product, so experts have said to reapply sunscreen at least every two hours in intense sunlight and straight after swimming or sweating excessively. Reapply even if you're using a high SPF SPF measures the protection against UVB rays - the rays that cause sunburn, but not measure UVA protection - the rays that contribute to ageing of the skin and long-term damaging effects. People often assume that a sunscreen with high SPF allows them to stay out in the sun for a longer time and not need to reapply, however this is not the case. Sunscreen must have a broad spectrum with protection from both UVA and UVB and reapplied regularly in order to be fully protected. Make sure to reapply SPF during the UK heatwave as well as during your travels to hot, tropical countries abroad but also when experiencing the UK heatwave. For more stories like this subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Weekly Gulp, for a curated roundup of trending stories, poignant interviews, and viral lifestyle picks from The Mirror's Audience U35 team delivered straight to your inbox. A spokesperson from Alpine Elements explained that if your skin is unprotected and the UV index is "double or triple what you're used to" this can mean that "unprotected skin can start burning in under 15 minutes." They conclude that "sun safety isn't just about avoiding discomfort - it's about protecting your skin for the future. A few extra minutes spent reapplying sunscreen can save you weeks of pain or years of damage." Help us improve our content by completing the survey below. We'd love to hear from you!
Daily Mirror
8 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Labour minister says small boat Channel crossings 'unacceptable' as milestone passed
In Home figures described as "unacceptable" by Labour former home secretary Baroness Smith, it also emerged 474 migrants arrived by small boat on Monday alone More than 50,000 migrants have arrived in the UK after crossing the English Channel since Labour won the 2024 general election. In Home figures described as "unacceptable" by Labour former home secretary Baroness Smith, it also emerged 474 migrants arrived by small boat on Monday alone. Earlier this month, the Government began detaining migrants under a new "one in, one out" deal with France. UK officials aim to make referrals for returns to France within three days of a migrant's arrival by small boat, while French authorities will respond within 14 days. An approved asylum seeker in France will be brought to the UK under a safe route as part of the exchange. It comes after The Mirror's Kevin Maguire wrote: 'Labour must find engaging story for the UK - or face election wipeout'. Baroness Smith, who is now an education and women and equalities minister, told BBC Breakfast: "Criminal gangs have got an absolute foothold in the tragic trafficking of people across the Channel. It is an unacceptable number of people." Earlier this month, the Government began detaining migrants under a new "one in, one out" deal with France. UK officials aim to make referrals for returns to France within three days of a migrant's arrival by small boat, while French authorities will respond within 14 days. An approved asylum seeker in France will be brought to the UK under a safe route as part of the exchange. Last week the government announced it is introducing powers for immediate deportation from prison for all foreign nationals who .
