disabilities

• Council chiefs warn of ‘detrimental impact’ of nursery cuts

  Local authority leaders have warned that Government plans to cut funding are placing maintained nurseries and support for children with special needs at risk.

  

• Council faces legal action over £20m cuts to SEND budget

  Surrey County Council is facing a legal battle over plans to cut its special educational needs and disabilities budget by more than £20m.

  

• Council apologises for ‘failing’ disabled boy’s family

  Doncaster council has admitted to ‘failing’ the family of a disabled boy after they waited three years for the special adaptations their home required.

  

• Court rules £5m of special needs cuts ‘illegal’

  Bristol City Council has said it is ‘disappointed’ by a court ruling that found the authority had acted illegally by cutting £5m from the budget for children with special needs.

  

• Councils urged to provide free education transport for young people with disabilities

  Councils across England should ensure their education transport policies properly support young adults with disabilities, ombudsman warns.

  

• Blue Badge extended to cover 'hidden disabilities'

  A decision to extend the Blue Badge parking scheme to people with mental conditions has been hailed as a 'lifeline'.

  

• £4m fund launched to help people with disabilities in work

  The Department for Work and Pensions has launched a new ‘challenge fund’ to help more people with mental health or musculoskeletal conditions to stay in work.

  

• Improving the delivery of disabled facilities grants

  Roy McNally explains how home improvement agencies can help local government improve the delivery of disabled facilities grants.

  

• Councils warn about ‘dangerously’ inadequate funding for SEND education

  The School Cuts Coalition and 39 local authorities have written to the Government to warn they do not have enough funding to meet their statutory obligations for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

  

• Ombudsman criticises council for cutting disabled man’s support

  A London council has been fined nearly £3,000 for cutting support for a disabled man.