East Riding Council’s cabinet member for children, families and education has criticised the way funding for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is allocated to local councils.
In a statement Councillor Victoria Aitken said:
“In East Riding we receive the lowest amount of funding per child, at £952 per pupil with SEND. The average amount per pupil nationally is £1,371, and if we received this it would mean the council would have a staggering £17.4million more each year for SEND provision.
“This would eliminate the high needs deficit and allow for further investment to reduce spending pressures across SEND and the wider school system budgets. The effect of lower funding in children’s services contributes significantly to the wider council budget, and if we received appropriate funding for high needs, our overall council position would be significantly more manageable.
“Whilst we know there is some outstanding work from schools and professionals, there is a real strain on the system, and we need this to change.”
East Riding Council are not alone in their struggles, a recent report from Child of the North described SEND provision in the UK as a “postcode lottery” and found that a staggering 99% of school leaders report that the funding they receive for pupils with SEND is insufficient.
The report also found that poor SEND provision across the country has profound affects on children’s academic success. For example, the report found that that just 30% of young people with SEND achieved a Grade 4 or higher in English and Maths in 2022/23, compared to 72% without SEND.
New Report Recommends £1 a Night Visitor Levy in York and North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire Visitor Levy : What Are the Options?
North Yorkshire Visitor Levy : How Will it be Collected and Where Will the Money Go?
Hunmanby FC Faces Four-Month Eviction Notice From Village Playing Fields
A Former Filey Care Home Manager Has Been Sent to Prison
Life-Saving Equipment Will Boost Emergency Responses Across Historic East Yorkshire Parkland
North Yorkshire Police's Rural Task Force Spring Into Action
North Yorkshire Council-Owned Housing Company Forecast to Lose Another £5.8m
Period Costumes To Fill Scarborough Streets For 400th Spa Anniversary
Final Miniature Staintondale Train Journeys Of The Year To Feature Brand New Tunnel And Visiting Engines
Injury Rule Blamed As Scarborough Athletic Suffer Narrow Defeat
FA Cup Humiliation For Whitby Town After Second Half Collapse
Comments
Add a comment