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5 live Investigates has discovered that children with special needs face a postcode lottery to get extra help at school, with some local education authorities much more likely to refuse a request than others.

If parents, teachers or health professionals believe a child needs support above and beyond what a mainstream school can offer, they can apply for an assessment. Angie from Southampton's 14-year-old daughter, who has autism, has had her application turned down twice.

Angie believes squeezed school budgets are to blame for the lack of support for her daughter as extra support "would come out of an educational budget".

She said "I do feel on my own fighting this, it shouldn't be like that. It shouldn't be a fight".

In a statement, Southampton City Council said they follow a national Code of Conduct for approving applications.

This clip is originally from 5 Live Investigates on Sunday 15 March 2015.