Vulnerable children caught up in crisis-hit system

URGENT ACTION is needed to address a crisis for vulnerable young people amid drastic funding shortfalls and rising need, local authorities have warned.

Pressure has been building on budgets for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), with councils in the region warning “the system will buckle” as they face a collective overspend of almost £43m this year.

“The Government has dealt a poor hand to the some of the nation’s most vulnerable children and young people and we are now demanding they give this crisis their urgent attention,” Leeds City Council leader Judith Blake said in November.

Last year headteachers in Hull wrote to the Education Secretary warning that services ranging from teaching resources to transport were at breaking point.

Families were facing delays of up to a year for critical care plans for youngsters.

And there have been protests and threats of court action from families battling to get support for their children.

The Department for Education maintains there is more money going into schools than ever before, with Yorkshire and the Humber to receive £500m in high needs funding this year.

But authorities argue urgent investment is needed to ensure they can meet statutory obligations, writing to the Chancellor to seek urgent address in the upcoming spending review.