(UK) E. Lancs: Funding of $35K per school for SPED 'totally insufficient'
- Apr 13
- 2 min read
Children in East Lancashire with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are set to benefit from a share of almost £24 million [$32M], which is to be allocated to the region as part of wider investment.
The package forms part of long-awaited SEND reform, after spending ballooned in recent years amid rising demand, leading to spiralling costs for councils and large deficits.
The investment is part of a wider £3.7 billion [$5B] programme to improve SEND provision and create tens of thousands of new specialist places across the country.
Funding is aimed at creating more specialised places in mainstream schools, improving accessibility and ensuring children can receive support closer to home.
Labour's Hyndburn MP, Sarah Smith, said: “From speaking to families across Hyndburn and Haslingden, I know how important it is that children with SEND get the right support early and close to home.
“Since being elected, SEND has been one of my number one priorities . . .
The funding will add to a further £7m that was allocated by Lancashire County Council in February.
At the time of Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson’s announcement in February, County Councillor Matthew Slater, cabinet member for education and skills, said that the funding of £26,000 [$35K] per school would not achieve the government's ambition.
Speaking at the time, Cllr Slater said: “We welcome steps to improve inclusion, but these proposals are doing too little in a time of crisis, and kicking the can down the road for the next government to deal with.
"Allocating roughly £26,000 per school is derisory and totally insufficient to achieve the government's ambitions.
“The national shortage of Educational Psychologists and the breakdown in trust between families and the SEND system are not being meaningfully addressed, maintained special schools seem to have been totally forgotten about, and there are no clear solutions for addressing a broken system in the here and now, in a timely fashion
Comments