Budget cuts mean mainstream schools could turn away SEND pupils

More funding is needed to support SEND pupils in mainstream and special schools, council chiefs say
30th March 2017, 12:04am

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Budget cuts mean mainstream schools could turn away SEND pupils

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Mainstream schools may be forced to turn away pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, unless there is an increase in government funding, council chiefs have said.

The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents more than 370 local authorities, has warned the government that, unless it increases funding for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), these children will miss out on a mainstream education.

An LGA analysis of Department for Education data reveals that there has been a substantial increase over the last four years of SEND pupils attending specialist schools: from 5.6 per cent in 2012 to 8.5 per cent in 2016.

The proportion of SEND pupils in independent schools has also increased, from 4.5 per cent in 2012 to 6.3 per cent last year.

Meanwhile, the LGA says, national funding for SEND pupils has been frozen, putting local-authority budgets under increased pressure. Many councils have attempted to top up this funding from other budgets, but the LGA suggests that this flexibility will not be available for much longer.

Missing out

The LGA is calling on the government to provide additional funding for these pupils. Otherwise, it said, councils may not be able to fund sufficient special-school places for those pupils with the highest needs, or to offer suitable provision for SEND pupils attending mainstream schools.

Earlier this month, the government announced that local councils in England would receive an additional £215 million for SEND children. However, Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, said that this was nothing more than a “sticking plaster over a gaping wound”.

Richard Watts, chair of the LGA’s children and young people board, said: “The government should provide additional funding to meet this need, otherwise councils may not be able to meet their statutory duties, and children with high needs or disabilities could miss out on a mainstream education.

“Councils are doing all that they can to make sure children with SEND get the support and opportunities they need to flourish, but are experiencing increasing demand for all services.”

A Department for Education spokesperson said: “This government is determined to build a country where everyone can fulfil their potential. This is backed by a £5.3 billion investment in 2016-17 for children and young people with high needs, which is protected in real terms in this parliament.

“We’ve also announced a £215 million fund for councils across the country to improve and create more special provision. This will help build new classrooms and improve facilities for pupils with special educational needs‎,  so that no child is left behind.”

 

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