Ellie Ames 05 September 2024

Wirral set to spend extra £1m on struggling SEND

Wirral set to spend extra £1m on struggling SEND image
Image: Studio Romantic / Shutterstock.com

Wirral Council will consider spending an extra £1.1m on special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision after it was ordered by the Government to improve.

Officers have recommended that money is moved from a contingency fund and used to hire staff in assessment and psychology teams.

An extra £2.8m will also be needed for SEND services from next year, according to a council report.

The report says staff shortages have contributed to poor inspection outcomes.

In May, an improvement notice from the Department for Education (DfE) criticised the council’s ‘poor progress’ in addressing 10 areas of significant concern raised in an Ofsted and Care Quality Commission inspection in 2021.

The 2021 report had itself criticised the council for being too slow to implement reforms set out in the Children and Families Act 2014.

The improvement notice means the DfE could intervene if Wirral fails to make the necessary changes.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Director of Public Health

Royal Borough of Greenwich
Up to £131,210
The Public Health department is at the heart of the council’s business. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Head of Regeneration and Growth

Plymouth City Council
£68,387 - £74,411 (MFS and relocation available, pay award pending)
This is a unique opportunity to lead our award-winning development team and directly deliver hundreds of millions of pounds of projects. Plymouth, Devon
Recuriter: Plymouth City Council

Director of Adult Social Care

Wiltshire Council
£119,390 - £127,137
Join us as the Director of Adult Social Care and make a real difference to people’s lives. Wiltshire
Recuriter: Wiltshire Council

Assistant Director Planning, Performance & Engagement

East Sussex County Council
up to £97,700
With strong local communities, unspoilt countryside and vibrant coastal towns, East Sussex offers an exceptional quality of life to many. East Sussex
Recuriter: East Sussex County Council

Director of Finance & Commerce

Lancashire County Council
Up to £114,339
You will play a critical role in driving the organisation through complex change and innovation. Lancashire
Recuriter: Lancashire County Council
Linkedin Banner