Swindon SEND provision to be reviewed
Councillors have unanimously approved a motion to make sure that provision meets demand
Whether the provision in Swindon for children with disabilities and special needs is sufficient for the young people and their families will be newly assessed after councillors agreed last week.
Conservative Councillor Jake Chandler put forward a motion designed to make sure that the provision for youngsters with additional needs, either physical, intellectual or psychological keep pace with the growth of the town.
It said: “It is our moral duty to ensure that every child in Swindon, regardless of their individual needs, receives the support and resources necessary to thrive in their educational journey.
“Children with Special Educational Needs and those with Education Health and Care Plans face unique difficulties that can only be overcome by dedicated resource and support.
“There is unmet demand for children with SEN and EHCPs in Swindon schools. The repercussions of these unmet needs are troubling, and not limited to the children alone but extend to the dedicated support staff and teachers who strive to provide the best care and education under challenging circumstances.
In light of these pressing concerns, this council must take decisive action to address the gaps in special needs provision within our schools.
“It is crucial we can identify opportunities to accommodate the unmet needs of our children effectively.”
The motion received cross party support and was agreed with the labour group and seconded by the cabinet member for education Councillor Adorabelle Shaikh.
She said: “The Local Government Association issued today, based on substantial engagement , that the current SEN system introduced in 2014 is not working for families, schools and councils alike.
“The number of children with EHCPs has risen from 240,000 a decade ago to 576,000 last year.
“We know the government inherited a broken system, and we welcome its commitment to renewal, as a change is desperately needed, though we know it won’t come as quickly as parents would like.”
Cllr Shaikh pointed out that the responsibility for assessments I rests with admitting schools, and in Swindon where most schools are academies, that means it’s the responsibility of the schools.
She added: “We have seen spaces grow in the last 14 months and a joint approach working with policy committee and the planning and education teams to work out where the needs and demands are.”
The unanimously passed motions mandates the Adults’ & Children’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee to “review the net capacity in schools to accommodate the needs of SEN children, with invitations to the meeting going out to relevant education stakeholders, and g the Education Team to work with planning colleagues to determine any additional general education and SEN needs are aligned with housing growth and the new Local Plan proposals.”