More funding for SEND support in Wiltshire as demand soars
More children with special educational needs or disabilities are needing support
Last updated 22nd Jul 2021
Wiltshire Council has agreed an additional budget of £1.7m for the next financial year to meet the rising number of children and young people with special educational needs and or disabilities (SEND).
The number with an Education Health and Care Plan has more than doubled in Wiltshire since 2015.
The local authority says the money will be used to fund additional SEND staff and to 'provide effective ongoing support.'
This includes to support those in early years settings to identify and support pre-school aged learners who need support and to and help them move successfully to schools.
The early years team is experiencing a marked increase in the number of children within early years presenting with additional needs in pre-schools, nurseries and childminding settings as more children return to their early years setting following lockdown and practitioners are able to identify their needs.
At the end of June 2016 the number of EHCP learners was 2,540, at the end of June 2021 these had risen to 4,219; an increase of 66% over five years.
The funding will also help officers currently having to deal with high caseloads.
Cllr Jane Davies, Cabinet Member for SEND said:
“Our officers work hard to provide good ongoing support to our families and carers with SEND children. They are doing this against a backdrop of extreme pressures as cases have soared.
“This funding for additional posts will mean more available expertise to recognise early signs and provide support early so people are able to access the help they need. It will also help with future planning and ensuring families continue to receive the support they need and overall this will be good news for families and schools. We need to ensure a fit for purpose service to deliver our SEND and Inclusion Strategy, into the future.”
Meanwhile the council continues to join calls for greater government funding to meet rising education costs for learners with SEN & disability.