PARENTS and school support staff in Leeds will rally today in defence of children with special needs.

Members of GMB union, which represents workers including school caretakers, will join parents’ groups in telling Leeds City Council that the provision of education for children with special educational needs (Send) needs a radical overhaul.

The rally takes place outside Leeds Civic Hall at 10.45am, after which a deputation will meet councillors.

The Labour-controlled council is to vote on proposed Send reforms after the meeting.

Send worker and GMB spokesman James Wilton said: “Special educational support in Leeds — and across the country — is in crisis: as a result, children and their families are suffering.

“I hear daily stories from GMB members who are beyond despair, working in unsafe environments for both children and staff.”

He said extra work was being piled on workers and called for investment in Send staff and school safety.