Mark Whitehead 17 December 2018

Council chiefs call for ‘emergency cash’ to support children with special needs

The Government has announced it will provide £350m to support children with complex needs and disabilities.

Education Secretary Damian Hinds said councils will receive an extra £250m over the next two years on top of the £6bn already provided in the budget this year.

He said a further £100m would create more specialist places in mainstream schools, colleges and special schools.

It followed a warning by council leaders that an emergency cash injection was needed to close a potential funding gap of up to £1.6bn over the next two years.

The Local Government Association (LGA) forecast that the current funding deficit could double to £806m next year and could continue to rise.

Anntoinette Bramble, chair of the LGA’s children and young people board, said the current system was at a 'tipping point' and the emergency funding was needed just to keep services afloat and cope with unprecedented demand.

Announcing the new money, education secretary Damian Hinds said: 'We recognise that the high needs budget faces significant pressures and this additional investment will help local councils to manage those pressures, whilst being able to invest to provide more support.

'Every school or college should be one for a young person with special educational needs; every teacher should be equipped to teach them, and families need to feel supported.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Executive Director of Place

Hounslow London Borough Council
£159,840 - £186,282
We are now seeking a new Executive Director of Inclusive Growth & Place to lead this bold agenda Hounslow (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recuriter: Hounslow London Borough Council

Revenue Services Support Officer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£28377 - 36969 per annum
We have a vacancy in our Rent Collection Service and are looking for a capable and ambitious individual to join Richmond and Wandsworth Council’s Better Service Partnership. You will be a team player, articulate and organised and help play a central rol Wandsworth, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Benefits Assessment Officer

West Northamptonshire Council
£34203 - £37067
Join West Northamptonshire Council and help make our community a great place to live, work, and thrive. As a Benefit Assessment Officer, you’ll play a vital role in supporting residents by ensuring Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction claims are pr Northampton
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Head of Facilities Management

Redbridge London Borough Council
£89,037 - £92,538
Our borough is beginning a huge transformation. With ambitious regeneration plans, a need for new infrastructure, Redbridge, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Redbridge London Borough Council

Head of Community Protection, Licensing and Regulatory Services

Redbridge London Borough Council
£competitive
This is your chance to be part of a new management team with a mandate for change and a shared sense of purpose. Redbridge, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Redbridge London Borough Council
Linkedin Banner