Children with special educational needs in Somerset are being "let down by a broken system" — and it's hitting some of the county's most vulnerable families the hardest.

That was the stark message from Glastonbury and Somerton MP Sarah Dyke, who delivered an emotional speech in Parliament this week demanding urgent reform of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system and fairer funding for Somerset's schools.

The Liberal Democrat MP described how desperate parents are being left to fight a system that's failing their children, with Somerset receiving thousands of pounds less per pupil than other parts of the country.

"The SEND system is broken, and unequal funding is a major reason," she said. "My inbox is full of messages from parents who are desperate to get the right support for their children but are seeing their needs go unmet. It is deeply upsetting and unacceptable."

Ms Dyke, who serves as Vice-Chair of the f40 group representing the lowest-funded education authorities, laid bare the shocking figures. Somerset's Dedicated Schools Grant for 2025–26 is just £8,500 per pupil, while some councils will receive nearly £13,500.

Even more alarming is the SEND high needs block — which helps fund support in both mainstream and specialist schools. Somerset gets just £1,250 per pupil, more than £2,000 less than the highest-funded local authority.

"This is not just a postcode lottery — it's a postcode crisis," she told the chamber.

'Jensen has lost all enjoyment in life'

During the debate, Ms Dyke shared the story of Jensen, a seven-year-old from Ilchester who is suffering from severe mental health distress while waiting for a long-overdue neurodevelopmental assessment.

"Jensen has lost all enjoyment in life. He misses school, he misses his friends, and his mother feels he is being passed from service to service. He is not alone," she said. "Many families across Glastonbury and Somerton are facing the same battle in a system that isn't working."

Ms Dyke also stressed how difficult it is for rural counties like Somerset to deliver adequate SEND support, with services stretched thin across long distances.

"The current funding model is not fit-for-purpose. Without reform, we will continue to see a deeply unequal landscape where children are let down and schools are unable to meet rising demand," she added.

Call for action

Ms Dyke urged the Government to overhaul both the schools and high needs funding formulas to reflect actual need, and to ensure timely, targeted support.

She also backed the Liberal Democrats' pledge to place a dedicated mental health professional in every school, giving children and parents someone to turn to when they need help.

Other proposals include sustained investment in education above the rate of inflation and the creation of a national SEND body to ensure consistency, accountability, and proper support for complex needs.

"The impact this crisis is having on children and parents' mental health is heartbreaking to see," Ms Dyke said. "We need action now — not more delays and not more empty promises."