Region’s leaders in joint plea over special educational needs funding

A COALITION of unions backed by authorities across Yorkshire has written to the Education Secretary in an unprecedented plea over “dangerously inadequate” funding for vulnerable young people with special educational needs.

Many local authorities do not have enough money to meet their statutory obligations, warns the letter signed by 39 authorities including executive members in Sheffield, Leeds, Rotherham and Barnsley, leaving more than 2,000 young people across the country without access to education at all.

The letter, calling for significant and immediate funding increases, urges the Government to act quickly so that every child with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can receive the support they need. It comes after The Yorkshire

Post revealed authorities in North Yorkshire had written to MPs to plead for support, while in Hull headteachers warned there was an impending crisis looming in the city’s schools.

Today, as the letter is submitted to Education Secretary Damian Hinds, authorities in Yorkshire warn immediate action is needed.

Schools are struggling, the deputy leader of Rotherham Council has said, while Lisa Mulherin, executive member for children at Leeds City Council, said it is “simply unacceptable” for the Government to neglect its duties in this way.

Responding to the claims, Children’s Minister Nadhim Zawahi said: “The high-needs budget for pupils with special educational needs is £6bn this year – the highest on record.”

SCHOOLS ARE being starved of the funding they need to support vulnerable young people with special educational needs, unions have warned, as authorities nationwide back pleas for “significant and immediate” action.

A coalition of unions and 39 local authorities across the country, including four in Yorkshire, have written to Education Secretary Damian Hinds to raise “deep concerns” over provision.

Amid warnings about the ability of local authorities to meet their statutory obligations to those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), they call for urgent support and additional funding.

“Children with special educational needs are among the most vulnerable in our society and they need and deserve the support that is necessary to give them the best possible chance in life,” said Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders.

“Government funding for these young people is simply inadequate. Both local authorities and schools have been starved of the money that is needed.

“They are doing their very best to provide the support these children require despite these extremely challenging circumstances, but the Government simply must improve funding as a matter of urgency.”

The letter warns the ability of local authorities to meet their statutory duties is limited, with far-reaching reductions to provision.

“We urge the Government to act quickly on this matter,” the letter concludes. “So that every child with SEND can receive the support they need to thrive.”

Among the 39 authorities backing the letter are four in Yorkshire – Barnsley, Sheffield, Rotherham and Leeds.

The warning comes after years of underfunding and cuts, said Coun Lisa Mulherin, executive member for children at Leeds City Council, warning that children in the city will lose £7m from the High Needs Block under the new National Funding Formula.

“It is simply unacceptable for the Government to continue to neglect their duty to the most vulnerable in this way and we urgently need them to step up to their responsibilities and give children and young people with SEND the funding that is needed to ensure they receive the best possible education and the best possible chance in life.”

Coun Gordon Watson, deputy leader and cabinet member for children and young people’s services at Rotherham Council, said: “We are seeing more and more children with Education, Health and Care Plans every year but the money is simply not following them.

“This means schools are struggling and the high-needs budget is struggling. What this means in reality is that many children are not getting the attention they need in school, which is putting added pressure on teaching staff.

“This coupled with cuts across the board is placing undue strain on schools, which is simply not acceptable any more.”

Minister for Children and Families Nadhim Zawahi said: “We want to make sure every child with special educational needs gets the support that they rightly deserve.

“The high-needs budget for pupils with special educational needs is £6bn this year – the highest on record, with core schools funding rising to £43.5bn by 2020 – 50 per cent more per pupil in real terms than in 2000.”

Many children are not getting the attention they need in school. Coun Gordon Watson, of Rotherham Borough Council.