(UK) N. Yorkshire: "Surge in demand" for SPED driven by better diagnosing of conditions like autism

May 15, 2018, (UK) Northern Echo: Council proposes changes to special needs pupils' provision http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/16227507.Changes_proposed_to_special_needs_pupils__provision__not_cost_cutting_/ AN education authority which is set to reshape special educational needs and disabled (SEND) provision amid a £4m annual overspend on the service is not conducting a cost-cutting exercise, councillors examining the move have claimed. Councillor Janet Jefferson, chairman of North Yorkshire County Council’s young people overview and scrutiny committee, said she was confident the authority’s proposals would enable it to improve provision for SEND pupils while operating within its £44.8m budget. … The committee heard planned changes also included work to enable SEND pupils experiencing difficulties to remain at mainstream schools and build SEND schools in areas where there was no provision. Members were told the council was facing “significant pressure” on its SEND budget as Government funding was insufficient to meet demand, which was set to rise by 37 per cent by 2022. The surge in demand was being driven by included improvements in the diagnoses of conditions such as autism, the increased profile of mental health and medical advances leading to more children with complex disabilities surviving, the meeting heard. Despite being told by officers the review aimed to increase provision for SEND pupils, members repeatedly questioned officers whether the review was about making efficiencies rather than cuts.