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.
Nigel Farage Appointed to Job in Scarborough Following Resignation from the House of Commons
Seadogs Fixtures Drop- Scarborough Fans Plot New Season Plans
Yorkshire Coast Misses Out as Whitby, Scarborough, Bridlington, Driffield and Pickering Fail to Make UK Town of Culture Shortlist
Yorkshire Coast Derby at Bridlington Town
Scarborough Athletic Take On Pickering Town
Driffield Residents Face Transport Struggles to Access NHS Blood Tests
Scarborough And Whitby MP Establishes Wildfire Prevention Parliamentary Group
Malton Urgent Treatment Centre Reopens Following Hospital Fire
Coastguard Agency Responds To Criticism Over 'Cruel' Cuts Set To Impact Yorkshire
Tributes Paid to East Riding Town Crier Michael Wood
How Much Has The Council Spent On Scarborough 400 Projects?
Coastal Surveillance Trailer Gets Temporary Extension For Future Use
Comments
Add a comment