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 Road Signs Warn Visitors About Extreme Wildfire Risks Across North Yorkshire
Gull-Proof Bins and Street Washing Plan for North Yorkshire Coast
Woman Dies In Fatal Collision On The A170 Near Pickering
Scarborough Councillors Clash Over 'Inability' to Deliver a Beach Toy Station
Bridlington Station Blooms With Avocados And Lemons As Customer Service Assistant Transforms Platforms
Yorkshire Coast MP and Trade Union Call on Coastguard Boss to Consider Position After 'Debacle'
Stunning Astrophotography Greets Stargazers At Free Scarborough Exhibition
Simulated School Blaze Tests Fire Crews At Former Whitby Site
Human Artists To Be Prioritised For Future Commissions Following Scarborough AI Backlash
Yorkshire Fire Services Unite To Prevent Devastating Summer Wildfires
Jail for Scarborough Knife-Point Robber Who Was "Acting Like A Gangster"
Scarborough And Bridlington Hospitals Face 'Unprecedented' Financial Challenge
Comments
Add a comment