Council or local authority
Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council
Main issues
- Record accuracy or disputed information
- Communication or participation
- Contact or family relationships
- Complaints handling
- Professional conduct
- Other
What happened
Over 18 months, my three children have been on child protection plans. I've repeatedly raised concerns about their additional needs — speech & language delays, neurodiversity, anxiety, and medical needs. Instead of getting them the right support, these needs have been used against me — framed as parenting failures and behaviour issues. Records have been altered, meeting minutes don't match what was actually said, and things I never agreed to are written down as fact. When I challenge this, it feels like retaliation — my children face consequences at school the same day. One child has been isolated repeatedly while their known needs are ignored. My youngest's attendance is being targeted even though he only started school this year and has speech delays that need therapy, not just being present in class. I'm constantly having to correct false records, defend my parenting, and prove my children's needs are real — not something I caused.
Impact on the family
It's exhausting and traumatising. Every time I advocate for my children, I feel like I'm punished for it. I have to fight for everything — from referrals to appointments. My children are anxious — they can feel the tension at home and in meetings. It affects my mental health, my confidence, and our whole family life. Instead of working with me to help my kids, the system works against me — and uses my children's needs as the weapon. It makes me feel like no matter what I do, it's never enough, and my voice doesn't matter. The constant stress affects my health, and I feel like I'm always walking on eggshells — afraid to speak up in case it makes things worse for my children.
What needs to change
1. Children's additional needs — SEN, medical, developmental — must be recognised as their needs, not a parent's failure. They need support, not consequences.
2. Records must be accurate — what's written must match what was actually said and agreed. No altering or adding things after the fact. Parents should be given a chance to check and correct minutes before they're finalised.
3. Parents who advocate for their children should be listened to, not penalised or retaliated against. There should be no negative impact on children when parents raise concerns.
4. Attendance targets must be realistic — they must take into account SEN, anxiety, and health conditions. One size does not fit all.
5. Professionals need better training on neurodiversity and additional needs — so they stop interpreting children's needs as bad behaviour or bad parenting.
6. Parents should be treated as equal partners — not as opponents. We know our children best.