A child has been out of school for almost a year after being forced to leave his specialist placement.

The boy, who is from North Shropshire, was removed from his specialist school in October 2023 as they could no longer meet his needs.

Since then, he has not received any full-time education.

This case is one of many instances of children being let down by the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision crisis in Shropshire.

Helen Morgan, MP for North Shropshire, has been working with families who are struggling to access appropriate education due to the crisis.

She said: "Maria in my constituency has a son who was in a specialist placement and in October last year, that school, so they can no longer meet his need.

"He hasn't been back in full-time education since then, with another head teacher locally telling me that special needs provision in Shropshire is decades behind elsewhere in the country."

The number of children in Shropshire, Telford, and Wrekin with special needs hit a record high this year, with 4,620 children and young people on Education, Health, and Care Plans.

Ms Morgan raised the crisis in SEND provision in Shropshire with the Education Minister.

She asked: "If she aspires for all children in the country to have their special needs met, how is she going to ensure that it happens in places that are struggling so much with funding like Shropshire?"

Bridget Phillipson MP, Secretary of State for Education, replied: "I recognise the challenge that the Honourable Lady sets out.

"A part of it is making sure that our mainstream schools are better able to cater for children with a wide range of needs.

"I'm very sorry to hear about the experience of her constituent and I'm sure my Right Honourable Friend will be happy to meet with her or to look into that further to make sure that if there's any action that can be taken to support the family."