Nearly 150 parents of children with special educational needs (SEN) said they are ‘deeply dissatisfied’ with Bracknell Forest Council over management of the crisis at the authority.

An open letter signed by 148 families has asked Bracknell Forest Council to ‘improve services for our children and young people, who for too long have been an afterthought from the very services who are there to support them’.

An investigation by the Bracknell News earlier this month revealed high numbers of staff turnover and 14 watchdog complaints made against the local authority by parents since 2022 – which totalled to more than £20,000 paid out in remedies.

Parents said that they have been brought close to mental breakdown during their battles to ensure their children receive proper support.

Bracknell Forest Council was sent the recent letter on behalf of parents by the News on October 11, but has since refused to formally address detailed concerns until it is sent by parents directly.

A spokesperson for the signees said: “I’m a bit confused, does it matter how or where it is delivered? Surely the important bit is the content…do they want us to send it by pigeon?

“It kind of sums up the problem.”

The parent said that the council were ‘absolutely’ putting off responding to parents concerns.

Bracknell Forest Council entered into the Government’s Safety Valve Agreement in 2024 after Ofsted identified ‘significant weakness’ in its SEN provision.

The council has agreed to take action to reduce its overspend in return for a £16 million investment in SEN provision over six years from the Department for Education.

Almost three years later, parents have said that they are ‘still not seeing any improvement’ and describe their dealings with the local authority as ‘traumatising’ and ‘worse than ever’.

Signees have complained that they have experienced communication issues with the SEN department and that there are still significant delays to getting Education and Health Care Plans secured.

The letter, addressed to the chief executive at BFC Susan Halliwell, was shared with the News on October 11 and passed onto the council on behalf of the parents the same day.

But Bracknell Forest Council said it can only respond to the letter and address parents concerns when it receives it from the parents.

Ms Halliwell said: “We are aware that an open letter is circulating locally regarding concerns and questions about Bracknell Forest’s Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) service.

“However, we have not officially received a copy of the letter. Once we do, alongside our partners, we will look over all the concerns carefully and will respond fully and honestly.”

The executive officer assured residents that the council are ‘committed’ to improving services and are ‘at the heart of our ongoing improvement programme’.