New multi-million-pound deal to improve education support for Norfolk children with SEND

The cash will help pay for additional provisions at existing schools, as well as two more special schools

Author: Sian RochePublished 17th Mar 2023

A major new deal is set to provide £70 million in additional funding for education services and support for children and young people with SEND in Norfolk.

The deal provides extra investment for the council’s new six-year Local First Inclusion SEND Improvement Programme and is the result of an agreement Norfolk County Council has negotiated with the Department for Education.

The council says the programme will provide more advice, support and funding for mainstream schools and introduce 15 new school and community support teams to give early help and support to parents and schools.

Dozens more special education classrooms, known as specialist resource bases (SRBs), will also be developed, along with alternative provision at mainstream schools and the building of two more special schools.

"It's a huge milestone"

Cllr John Fisher, cabinet member for Children’s Services, said: “It’s a huge milestone to have this funding agreement in place.

“Together with additional annual investment the council has pledged for SEND, it provides the financial foundations for us to deliver our ambitious Local First Inclusion programme.

“The programme aligns with the Government’s recently announced SEND improvement plans, which together with our proven track record for achieving real change, puts Norfolk in a great position to substantially improve services and support for the education children and young people with SEND.” 

"It will have a positive impact on outcomes for all children"

Martin White, Chair of the Norfolk Schools Forum, said: “I welcome this significant support from the DfE for the ambitious Local First Inclusion programme in Norfolk. “This investment, together with that from Norfolk County Council, will support inclusion and have a positive impact on outcomes for all children across the county.”

The county council will be investing an additional £5.5 million a year for six years, totalling £33 million, whilst the DfE will invest £28 million this year, followed by £6 million a year for four years, provided the council meets progress targets, and £12 million in the final year of the programme, totalling £70 million overall.

The county will also receive £135 million from Government core SEND high needs funding this year.

The first school and community support teams are due to start work in June this year, with most established by September.

Recruitment for more than 100 additional advice and support roles for schools is already underway and a team of school leaders is in place to work with council leaders.

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