Calls for extra £13 million as children's social care 'chronically underfunded'
Video report by ITV News Meridian's Juliette Fletcher
Council leaders in Oxfordshire say adult social care, children's social care and special educational needs are "chronically underfunded" and an extra £13.8 million is needed just to maintain current provision.
The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, will announce on Wednesday (October 27) how much money will go towards adult social care, children's social care and special educational needs in the Government's Budget and Spending review.
Calum Miller, Oxfordshire County Council, said: "This Wednesday the Chancellor will deliver his budget, and we're calling on him properly to fund adult social care, children's social care and special educational needs.
"Here in Oxfordshire there are thousands of families who depend on the care and support that those three services offer, yet for years they've been chronically underfunded.
"We desperately need the Chancellor to step up the funding to make sure that services can be properly provided to families here in Oxfordshire and across the country."
Meanwhile the number of families needing support is growing as many children have fallen further behind during the pandemic.
Mandy Chivers from Monks Risborough has two children, Lily who is 15, and Ted who is 11. They are both autistic and have other additional needs.
Lily had tried 14 schools before she finally found one she where she felt happy and supported.
Lily Chivers, Princes Risborough school pupil: "It feels like I have a place there and I know that if I do have a problem, there's always going to be people who can help. It does feel different from schools that I know haven't worked and it's good to know this is a place I can stay."
The number of children with special educational needs is increasing and at the same time there is a lack of suitable placements for some and rising costs of care provision and equipment.
Mandy Chivers, mother said: "Basically the local authorities need more money to employ staff to help.
"I think we've got to look at where we're sourcing education and we've got to really properly investigate how these needs can be met.
"Just because a school costs a lot of money doesn't mean it's the best.
"We've got to look at our provision locally, we've got to encourage local schools not to just talk about inclusion, but lead from the front and be inclusive."
Catherine McLeod, Disabled Children's Partnership said: "Those of us who don't live with disability in our lives, or children with disabilities, we assume that all these things come as standard from the NHS or from the government and in reality families are having to fight to get simple things like the right equipment, the right medical support."