(UK) Bexley, England: The need for SPED services is 'greater than ever'

August 1, 2017, (Bexley, England) News Shopper: An extra £1million is needed to cope with growing demand for special educational needs services in Bexley http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/15446889.An_extra___1million_is_needed_to_cope_with_growing_demand_for_special_educational_needs_services_in_Bexley/ The number of children with special educational needs in Bexley is growing year on year however the council has admitted it faces "funding constraints". Bexley Council needs to find an extra £1million a year for SEN budgets to keep up with the growth of children who need extra support. According to the stats given by the council, the number of children needing SEN is increasing at around three per cent a year. Councillor Mabel Ogundayo, Labour, asked the councillor for education to confirm the expenditure growth for the next five years. … "We are concerned of a growing trend among some local academies chains, to refuse to accept children with Education Health Care Plans and the implications this is having on those budgets maintained both by the council and schools still under the oversight of the local authority.... Bexley SNAP, a charity that offers services for disabled children in the borough, said they appreciate the budget is limited but they are struggling to provide services. A spokeswoman said: "The need for services within the borough is greater than ever and demand does stretch the specialist resources that are available. "Our criteria has tightened to meet the needs of those with severe and complex needs as it is viewed that those families require most support. ...