Protecting the public realm without shutting it down
As Martyn's Law approaches, this free special report from LocalGov and Hill & Smith sets out how councils can protect public spaces without shutting them down.
Essex CC accepts recommendations after SEND transport failures
02/10/2026 ‘Serious and repeated failings’ have been identified in an Ombudsman investigation into Essex County Council and its handling of transport arrangements for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). |
Council apologises for college transport mistake
25/02/2026 A council has apologised to a woman with complex learning difficulties who it did not provide with sufficient funding for her transport to college. |
Spending on SEND support set to hit £21bn
02/10/2025 Spending on education, health and care plans (EHCPs) and child disability living allowance (CDLA) in England is set to reach £21bn by 2029. |
Ombudsman slams delays in Leeds SEND support plans
25/09/2025 Leeds CC has been criticised after an Ombudsman investigation uncovered significant delays in providing EHC Plans for children with special educational needs. |
Coventry secures £1m to support disadvantaged young people
22/09/2025 Coventry City Council has received almost £250,000 in additional Government funding, bringing total investment in youth education programmes to over £1m. |
MPs call for 'root and branch' transformation of 'broken' SEND system
18/09/2025 A cross-party report has called for ‘root and branch transformation' of the ‘broken' special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system. |
Billions spent on SEND – but is it paying off?
11/09/2025 Financial experts have warned there is almost no way to assess whether the billions spent on England’s SEND system represent value for money. |
Underfunding, Not Demand, Is Breaking SEND
29/08/2025 Jack Lowman, Sense, says properly funding the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system is vital for disabled children to get the best start. |
Overdiagnosis straining SEND system, think tank says
28/08/2025 England’s special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system is unsustainable because of an overdiagnosis of mental health issues, think tank says |
Council wrote to families about EHC plan reviews that never took place
13/08/2025 Stockton on Tees BC has apologised after an investigation revealed that nearly 100 young people with EHC plans have not had their support updated. |
