Closure of Whitby SEND Charity Raised in Prime Ministers Questions

Whitby's MP has asked the Prime Minister about the funding crisis forcing the closure of a Whitby charity for children with disabilities.

Whitby Interactive, a charity providing vital support to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Whitby for 26 years, is set to close due to a funding shortfall. The closure, announced by trustees, is scheduled for Christmas, leaving families and carers devastated.

In response to the situation, Whitby MP Alison Hume directly questioned the Prime Minister in Parliament, highlighting the crucial role played by Whitby Interactive and the broader crisis in SEND provision. She emphasized that the organization has been "a lifeline for families continually failed by Conservative governments" and urged the Prime Minister to acknowledge the need for urgent action and support for such organizations.

The charity currently supports 40 children who have disabilities and special needs but only 8 of those children receive some form of state funding.

Speaking in yesterday's Prime Ministers Questions, The town's MP - Alison Hume - put it to the PM that action is urgently needed to tackle a funding crisis in SEND Support - something that Kier Starmer agreed with.

Whitby Interactive offers a range of services, including activities, holiday play schemes, and an inclusive pre-school play session, catering to children and young people with disabilities and special needs aged 5 to 25. The organization provides a safe and supportive environment for children, allowing parents and carers respite to attend to other responsibilities or simply have time for themselves.

The service started in 1998 as an inclusive play scheme – attracting more than 100 children to their activities.
 
Eventually as more clubs became available to children without disabilities (football, drama, dancing etc) this service morphed into one offering respite, days out and activities for children with disabilities.

It was the only service where parents could leave their children from 9.30am – 5.30am reassured their kids where being looked after by highly trained special needs carers.

Since the service began it has been supported by Children in Need attracting between £30,000 to £40,000 per year. Each grant from Children in Need offered funding for three years and because of this support other grant making bodies had confidence in the charity and donated more.

However this year when Whitby Interactive applied they were rejected as Children in Need said it had changed its priority to homelessness and hunger.

In December the two key staff members, Helen and Sally, responsible for administration, including grant applications, and activities respectively, will lose their jobs and the premises will be handed back to the landlord. They have worked for the service since it began. They were supported by highly trained sessional workers at the weekend who will also lose that income.

Parents/carers are said to be devastated as there are no special schools in or near Whitby and SEND children are being ‘educated/supported’ in mainstream environments that due to funding issues struggle to meet their needs.

The closure will create a significant gap in services for families in Whitby, especially considering the lack of special schools in or near the town. The situation is further exacerbated by the sharp increase in requests for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), indicating a rising demand for SEND support.

Alison Hume spoke to This is the Coast from Westminster after yesterdays PMQ's and told Matthew Pells more about the charities situation..