An MP will use his question in PMQs on Wednesday to call for families of children with special needs who have been let down by local councils to report them to the police for criminal misconduct, reports BritPanorama.
Lib Dem Dorking and Horley MP Chris Coghlan plans to raise the specific case of 13-year-old Eivie White from Maidstone, Kent, who took her own life in part because of failures by her local authority. He has compiled 1,253 testimonies from families of SEND children across 134 councils, highlighting a growing concern over the government’s plans to reform special educational needs.
The MP warned of a “suicide epidemic” among failed children, citing 205 suicide attempts documented in the testimonies — 200 by children and five by parents. Coghlan intends to mention Eivie’s case during his question to Andy Burnham in PMQs.
Coghlan accused councils of “weaponising” the tribunal system to obstruct parents from obtaining necessary support for their children, alleging that local authorities refused to engage directly with families. “I have provided the government with over 1,200 families’ testimonies of misconduct, including some allegedly criminal, towards SEND children across 134 local authorities,” he stated. “Not only has the government failed to act, but it plans to reduce children’s legal protections from the very institutions causing them harm. I am now working with some of these families on potential criminal prosecutions.”
Eivie, diagnosed with severe autism, died at her family home in March 2023 after experiencing a series of alleged failures by Kent County Council. Initially denied support, her family only received assistance after her primary school advocated on their behalf.
Despite having an education, health and care plan (EHCP) in place, her secondary school failed to provide adequate support. She was subjected to isolation due to bullying, and the council opposed her transfer to a specialist school. Throughout this period, Eivie’s family never had a face-to-face meeting with her case officer from the council, despite the statutory duty the council had to support her.
After her death, her family faced further trauma. Their request to relocate from the home where Eivie died was initially refused, which led to her sister sleeping in the same room. It took four months for the council to finally agree to a move.
Eivie’s mother, Shelley, expressed deep frustration: “We trusted the council, the trained professionals to do the right thing and to provide the support Eivie needed.” She described the ongoing struggle to cope with their loss. “I hated being upstairs. I didn’t like her sister spending so much time in the room.”
Campaigners are considering reporting Eivie’s case to the police, but are uncertain whether the statute of limitations would impede them. Jenny Haines, representing the accountability group Measure What Matters, noted the troubling pattern in Eivie’s case, highlighting gaps in oversight for deaths involving children with EHCPs.
In February 2026, the Labour government published major SEND reform proposals, aiming to address systemic issues with £4 billion in additional funding. However, concerns persist among campaigners regarding the effectiveness of these reforms. Questions remain about whether new Education Secretary Lucy Powell will adhere to the previously announced plans.
In response to the situation, a Kent County Council spokesperson stated, “This is a tragic case involving the death of a young person… we deeply regret any occasion where the services and support provided have not met the standards that children, young people and their families should expect.” The spokesperson indicated that the council has made improvements since a 2022 inspection highlighted various areas needing reform.
The complexities surrounding this tragic case reflect wider systemic issues in the support for children with special educational needs, leaving many families feeling abandoned by the systems meant to protect them.
