Record needs ‘Generation is being denied opportunities they deserve’

THE number of children and young people in Gloucestershire with special needs eligible for extra educational support has risen to record levels, new figures show.

More than 560 children and young people were put on to an education, health and care plan to aid their learning last year.

It brings the total number with special needs in the county to 3,658.

The Department for Education said it is the highest figure on record.

But according to figures from one education union, £1.2billion in funding for special needs provision in England has been lost since 2015.

Councillor Richard Boyles (C, Forest of Dean, Blakeney and Bream), inset, who holds the portfolio for children and young people at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “We have seen a year-on-year increase in the number of children and young people with EHCPS, which is reflected nationally.

“This is one of the most challenging issues facing school funding, and, despite more money overall it is a real challenge.”

He continued: “The Department for Education announced extra money for Gloucestershire schools last year, which is a real help.

“We are pleased to have good quality schools in the county which we can invest in to increase provision for chil

dren with SEND and we have further plans to open a special school for children with social, emotional and mental health issues to meet this increasing need - which is part of our promise to invest £100m in our county’s schools.

“Gloucestershire County Council will keep working with our schools and the Department to address this issue in the long term.”

Stroud’s Labour MP David Drew has called for a full review of the way children with additional needs are supported.

He said: “Without that, a generation are being denied the opportunities they deserve.

“Schools are faced with the unenviable choice of not meeting a child’s needs, reducing the provision across the whole school, or even reducing the number of places for children with additional needs.”

The National Education Union says increases in funding have not matched increases in the number of children with an EHC plan, due to the “unplanned and insufficiently funded” policy of extending provision to those aged 19-25.

The 16 per cent rise seen in Gloucestershire has campaigners warning that government funding is not matching demand.

Mr Drew said: “This is not just an issue for those children and families who need extra support.

“Lack of proper funding affects all children in Gloucestershire and is a particular blow to those schools which aim to be inclusive. “Gloucestershire County Council has changed funding provision so that schools have to bear more of the financial burden of supporting children with EHCPS. “Schools now need to fund the first £6,000 of any child’s additional support from their general budget.” The children and families minister, Nadhim Zahawi, labelled the statistics “concerning”.