Wirral SEND Team Strike: A Call for Fair Treatment and Support
The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) team at Wirral Council, supported by the National Education Union (NEU), has initiated a strike to protest against proposed pay cuts and overwhelming workloads.
Without wanting to be named, these dedicated professionals, who support some of the most vulnerable families in the community, have voiced concerns over financial uncertainty and the impact on their personal lives and service quality. Chronic underfunding and high turnover rates have exacerbated the situation, leading to stress-related absences. The strike, which has garnered community support, aims to prompt meaningful dialogue and solutions to improve working conditions and ensure continued support for the families in need.
Bora Oktas, Regional Officer of the NEU, emphasized the dedication of the SEND team members:
“Our members at Wirral SEND are incredibly dedicated and work tirelessly to support the most vulnerable families in our community. However, they have been left in a financial limbo without meaningful consultation about a restructure that imposes pay cuts and increased workloads. This situation is taking a significant toll on their personal lives and relationships, and it is also impacting the quality of service they can provide. It is crucial that we address these issues promptly to ensure both the well-being of our members and the families they serve.”
Michael Farrelly, District Secretary, expressed pride in the members’ resolve:
“We are very proud of our Wirral members who are standing up, not just for themselves but for the families they support. The Local Authorities initial response that it was ‘less than five’ people was disappointing and fundamentally wrong. They were then joined by local parents who came out to support the picket line. Our members have been on the receiving end of chronic underfunding and this pay reduction and failure to protect pay has been the final straw. They are now taking the initiative to improve their working conditions and support the families most in need of their support.”
The strike has garnered significant community support, with parents joining the picket line to show solidarity. Ferdushi Mohshin, Wirral NEU President, brought her young daughter to the protest, underscoring the personal and professional stakes involved:
“Na’ilah and I joined the picket line outside Mallory building council offices today. She was the youngest picketer and a mighty activist! It was her first picket line if you don’t count the ones she was on when she hadn’t been born! I was there not only in the capacity of my roles with the NEU but also as a teacher and to show my solidarity as a parent and family. The desperation of parents I spoke to and the discussions that were had were incredibly hard and devastating to listen to. Their experiences were shocking and something needs to change. The system is failing our most vulnerable children and their families.”
The strike, now in its second planned day, reflects the growing frustration over chronic underfunding, high turnover, and stress-related absences among SEND staff. The NEU has stressed that striking is a last resort, but necessary to draw attention to the urgent need for investment in services that are crucial for children and their families.
As the strike continues, the NEU and its members hope that their actions will lead to meaningful dialogue and solutions that address the financial and workload challenges faced by the SEND team, ensuring they can continue to provide essential support to the community.
