Sept 27, 2020, Saffron Walden Reporter: Essex County Council hears that additional educational support could cost £13m over a four year span https://www.saffronwaldenreporter.co.uk/news/cost-of-sen-in-essex-rises-1-6854737 The number of Essex children diagnosed with special educational needs who need additional educational support has risen, and the costs to help could be twice the forecast two years ago. In May 2018, Essex County Council’s cabinet reimplemented the system of individual packages of educational support, such as tuition or vocational training, for children and young people who have been permanently excluded or who are unable to receive suitable education through illness or other reasons. It was estimated the four year scheme, which started in April 2019, would cost £6.8million [$8.7M U.S.] based on approximately 700 pupils. In its first year (2019/20), 577 pupils were supported at a cost of £5million [$6.3M U.S.] for year one – an increase of 180 percent in the number of pupils requiring the provision of alternative education from 2018/2019. This unexpected demand for services exceeded forecasts. Based on current demand, it will cost £13.2million [$17M U.S.] until the four year framework expires in 2023. A statement to cabinet said: “It is anticipated that this level of need and demand for services from the framework is likely to continue until ECC’s SEN and PRU (pupil referral unit) capital programmes delivers the necessary increased capacity in the Essex special schools and pupil referral units. “The need for an increase in capacity has led to a programme for delivery of four new special free schools for autism and social, emotional and mental health and the development of a PRU estate which is fit for purpose. ECC are in discussion with the Department for Education regarding the construction of these schools and the target date for delivery is 2023. “Essex has seen a 62.9 percent increase in the numbers of pupils entering PRUs since 2018. This is more than double the increase across the eastern region and England and will be one of the key drivers for the project linked to students who are not in full time education.”…
