Budget cuts to early support for pupils with special educational needs has led to a massive increase in requests for more expensive support. Last year Bristol City Council saw a huge jump in these requests “entirely attributed” to the decision to cut funding for help at an early stage.
Since last March the number of requests for an assessment into a child’s education, health and care needs has gone up by a third, much higher than the average increase across the South West of 10 per cent. Much of the higher increase is due to controversial cuts made last year.
“Non-statutory top up funding” gave schools £9 million for early intervention for around 1,000 pupils, to prevent them needing more complex and costly help, such as an education, health and care plan (EHCP). An update was given to councillors on the children and young people policy committee on Thursday, March 6.
Vik Verma, director of education, said: “It’s almost entirely attributed to the decision to remove high needs top up funding, which had been a feature of the SEN service in Bristol for some time. That set off a wave of schools requesting education, health and care plans, and that’s essentially why we’ve seen that increase.”
In February last year the cabinet decided to cut top up funding, despite a public consultation on the cuts warning the lack of early intervention would lead to greater need for long-term support and costs. Meanwhile, applications for EHCPs are now starting to be processed more quickly.
Hannah Woodhouse, executive director for children and education, said: “We are starting to see — but I recognise it’s only starting and many parents won’t be seeing it at this stage — glimmers of increased production of EHCPs as a result of us investing in the service and supporting a restructure in the service. But there’s obviously a long way to go.”
The council is investing £1.9 million into hiring 35 support workers, helping families in local hubs with problems like domestic violence and short breaks for children. But at the same time, funding is being cut elsewhere on other domestic violence services and short breaks.
Green Councillor Christine Townsend, chair of the children’s committee, said: “I know there is anxiety around the reduction of domestic violence protection and special educational needs short breaks, and that came out in the budget last week. The investment we’re putting into the localities far outweighs any money that was taken out of those two areas.
“We are of the view that children’s services is exactly where the investment needs to be, so that you’re approaching this from a whole-family perspective. You’re therefore in a position to work with families and children where they live and near their schools, and give better coordination.”
In January the row over funding for special educational needs and disabilities culminated in a High Court row. A judge is expected to decide soon whether the council acted unlawfully when deciding last year to enter into a bailout deal with the government without consulting parents.
Council bosses are also hoping to hear long-awaited news on whether special permission to carry a deficit from year to year in its school budget will be extended. Currently the “statutory override” is due to end next March, which without action could lead to Bristol and many other councils going bust. An update might come in the government’s spring statement on March 26.