SEN children suffer massive bullying

Eight out of ten children with a learning disability have been bullied, say mental health charity Mencap.

Young people surveyed for the report had experienced bullying not just at school but in places such as the street, buses and in parks, which left them scared to go out.

When bullying had been reported to an adult, in four out of ten cases nothing was done, with children sometimes being told to accept it was “just part of everyday life”.

The charity is now calling on the government, and groups such as children’s trusts, schools and local councils to do more to prevent it.

Researchers spoke to 507 children aged between eight and 19 and visited disabled only, as well as mixed disabled and non-disabled schools in England, Northern Ireland and Wales.

Bullying wrecks lives; the experiences of children and young people with a learning disability