Calls to end 'staggering' differences in SEND cash

Campaigners are calling for an end to "staggering" differences in the funding local authorities get for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC) said it received the lowest amount in the country, with £18m less per year than the average.

Emily-Anne, from East Yorkshire, has a son who is autistic. She said: "We desperately need to invest both in more specialist placements and getting children into them sooner so that they don't arrive already burnt out and damaged."

The government said it was investing at least £3bn nationally to create 50,000 specialist places and would set out reforms through a Schools White Paper early this year.

Her son James, eight, has not attended mainstream school since December.

"He really struggled in nursery, then when he started primary school, everything became really apparent," Emily-Anne said.

"He couldn't join in with the class, he had to have one-to-one support all of the time."

James is autistic and has ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), but Emily-Anne said she faced a lot of challenges getting a suitable education, health and care plan (EHCP) - a legally binding document for children and young people who require additional support.

She had been "lucky" to get a place in a specialist school from September this year.

"There are so many children who need those placements, fighting for them and not getting them," she added.

ERYC is backing a campaign by the f40 group of councils for major government investment and reform of SEND funding.

The f40 group of authorities is campaigning for a review of core SEND funding, along with improved resources, a greater focus on inclusion in mainstream schools and better regulation of the independent SEND sector.

ERYC said it received about £920 per pupil with SEND under the high needs funding system.

According to f40, the best-paid authority receives more than £3,800 per pupil.

Councillor Victoria Aitken, cabinet member for children, families and education said the council had been lobbying government for fairer funding for a number of years.

"The difference between what East Riding receives, as the lowest funded authority, and the average authority is truly staggering," she said.

"We want to be able to give every child the support they need and deserve, no matter where they live or what challenges they face.

"We want government to be bold and brave with education reforms."

A spokesperson for the Department for Education said: "For too long, families have been failed by the SEND system – with parents across the country forced to fight for every scrap of support and rising demand meaning children's needs are spiralling to crisis point.

"We will continue engaging with parents, teachers and local authorities to fix the system.

"Our changes will make sure children get support at the earliest stage, while bringing about financial sustainability for councils.

"We are clear that any deficit from 2028-29 onwards will be absorbed within the overall government budget."

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