Responding to a Local Government Ombudsman report on its first 100 investigations into Education, Health and Care Plans, Cllr Richard Watts, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, said: “The number of investigations undertaken in this report is relatively small when compared to the thousands of Education, Health and Care Plans developed by councils to support children and young people with SEND. The report rightly highlights that despite these complaints, two thirds of parents have said they are happy with the support they are being provided by their councils.
“The LGA was clear with government from the outset that the reforms set out in the Children and Families Act were significantly underfunded given the unprecedented rise in demand for SEND support.
“Councils are working hard to ensure all children with SEND are getting the support that they need however, this is a new and complex system which councils and other agencies, including health partners and schools, are trying to navigate.
“With transitional funding set to end in March 2018, there is increasing concern among councils that at a time of rising demand, they will be unable to meet the needs of children and families in their areas. Councils are clear that the Government should provide additional and ongoing funding to meet this need, otherwise councils may not be able to meet their statutory duties and children with high needs or disabilities could miss out on a mainstream education.
“If we’re to meet the needs of children with special educational needs and disabilities it is important that everyone, councils, colleges and government departments, work together effectively. In doing so, councils can ensure the right support is provided to those pupils in need.”
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