Aug 16, 2023, Haslemere Herald: Schools spending thousands supporting special needs pupils because of council delays https://www.haslemereherald.com/news/education/schools-spending-thousands-supporting-special-needs-pupils-because-of-council-delays-631894
SE England
Schools are spending tens of thousands of pounds trying to support children with additional needs amid delays to assessments from Surrey County Council.
One headteacher said a child waiting more than a year for an education, health and care plan (EHCP) meant the school had spent £40,000 [$50,000] to support him, which impacted on the whole school’s budget.
Delays to the plans, which are legal documents outlining the support required for children with additional needs, are “time consuming, stressful and distressing” according to one parent.
Surrey County Council’s timeliness on completing the plans has dropped in the past 18 months, meaning now just 26 per cent are completed within the legally-required 20 weeks.
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