A mother waiting almost a year for a care plan for her autistic child has hit out at Bristol City Council as figures emerged showing more children are waiting on their annual care reviews in the city than in any other council area in England.
There are some 2,900 children waiting on the city council for their annual reviews of their education, health and care plans (EHCP).
And the council failed to issue one EHCP within a national guideline target of 20 weeks in August, September and October
The council has responded, saying it is on 'journey towards improving our performance'.
But for Fiona Castle, who has been waiting since February for a care plan for her autistic son, it is not good enough.
Ms Castle, from Horfield, claims without the plan her son has been struggling in lessons without the proper language and speech support.
Said she has had to take time off from work to fill out all of the documents for a care plan.
And her case is echoed by hundreds across the city, she claims.
"We are talking about parents who already have enough on their plate," said Ms Castle. "I've had to take time off work to fill out all the forms.
"The process has meant we've had a difficult relationship with the school. They don't have the funding so they have to cut support.
"The system is so unfair because it discriminates against the poorest, or anyone who doesn't have English as their first language.
"The council is failing this whole generation of children. They are being left to languish in a class without support and this puts a lot of stress on teachers and other pupils in the school as well."
Council bosses insist they are listening to families and have now launched an ambitious recruitment drive to tackle the waiting times.
Alison Hurley, the newly appointed director of education and skills at the council said: “We have invested £1.4m in special educational needs and disability (SEND) and recently advertised 24 new posts for specialised staff – 23 of which will work specifically on EHCPs.
"I recognise that this is of little comfort for the families waiting for a review or decision who need to see the results of this investment.
“I share their ambition of improving the system and am confident that this extra money will have a positive impact but it will take time to take effect.
"We are listening and we are working on solutions that we think will meet the needs of all involved.”
