SEND
Councils must meet their SEND legal duties
No matter how tight budgets are, councils still need to be held to account for how they are discharging their statutory SEND duties, says Catriona Moore.
Tackle high needs before it is too late
Lorna Baxter says the statutory override in place until March 2023, which allows for a negative high needs reserve is 'not even a sticking plaster - frankly, it’s bonkers. The money has been spent'.
EXCLUSIVE: High needs spending could 'bankrupt councils'
A senior finance director has warned that spending on high needs threatens to ‘bankrupt councils’ as local authorities queue up for a bail out.
Children and families need £12.5bn over three years, says new ADCS president
The growing number of children and families who need support 'to thrive, not just survive in the wake of the pandemic' will need investment of around £12.5bn over three years, says England's new children’s services chief.
Police investigate children's homes after suspensions
Police are investigating the closure of two Doncaster-based children’s homes suspended by Ofsted amid safeguarding concerns, The MJ has learned.
SEND funding boost of £280m announced
Councils will receive £280m to create new school places for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Somerset MP urges county to up SEN spend
A Somerset MP has urged the county council to find £2.4m from existing coffers to settle a two-year dispute over SEN funding.
Boarding home closures prompt council response
Councils have been called on to help accommodate children with special educational needs after two boarding homes had their registrations suspended following critical inspections.
Five councils strike bailout deals with government over SEND
Five councils have struck deals worth at least £100m that will allow them to wipe out their massive special educational needs deficits (SEND).
Coming up for air – what councils need to think about
John Fowler looks at the range of ways in which councils can help children and young people recover from the impact of the pandemic.
EXCLUSIVE: Pressure mounts over SEND grant deficit
Councils are facing renewed pressure from the Department for Education (DfE) to make cuts to bring their massive special educational needs deficits into line.
Government stop-gap on SEND deficits
Treasurers have welcomed a second government attempt to deal with spiralling special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) deficits but have stressed it is ‘not sustainable’.
Ofsted warns of COVID impact on SEND support
The pandemic has ‘seriously affected’ support for special educational needs an disabilities (SEND), according to Ofsted.
If Robin Hood ran our SEND services
Nottinghamshire CC is one of the 11 local authorities on IMPOWER’s 2020 Index of the best performing councils for High Needs. Colin Pettigrew offers insight into the reasons behind its success.
Supporting young workers with SEND through the crisis
Claire Cookson discusses how young people with learning disabilities have stepped into key worker roles for councils during the pandemic, and how the period can act as a springboard for more fairness and equality.
Auditors poised to qualify accounts over SEND
Auditors are poised to qualify some value for money opinions as a result of spiralling special educational needs and disabilities deficits, The MJ understands.
Criticised council makes SEND investment
Bristol City Council has pledged to spend £29m on capital works to boost services for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
High hopes for high needs
IMPOWER has published a list of the best performing councils on high needs. Leo Jones takes a look at who's on it and at what makes them so good.
Government relaxes recovery plan demand
The Government has scrapped its requirement for all councils with a cumulative dedicated schools grant (DSG) deficit of more than 1% to submit a recovery plan.
EXCLUSIVE: Deficit puts councils on cliff edge
Many councils could be pushed over the ‘financial cliff edge’ if the £500m of high-needs deficit faced by the sector is not written off, the Government has been warned.
