(UK) N. Ireland: SPED costs put 'intolerable strain' on schools

Oct 11, 2018, Belfast Telegraph: Northern Ireland schools' spending power down £230m in eight years, MPs told https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/northern-ireland-schools-spending-power-down-230m-in-eight-years-mps-told-37406049.html Schools in Northern Ireland have seen their spending power fall by more than £230m [$304M US dollars] since 2010, a group of MPs has been told…. These have been impacted by rises in National Insurance and changes to superannuation and the ongoing increasing demands related to children and young people with special and additional needs. The committee heard that principals have reported "intolerable strain" caused by the deteriorating financial position placed upon them. Other key pressures raised during yesterday's committee include the increased need for early intervention to meet the growing and increasingly complex needs of children. There is also an increasing need for support to children who have additional and special educational needs. …