Andy Munns
Wiltshire Council has secured a multi-million-pound agreement to support special educational needs and disabilities after a five-year investment plan has been rubber-stamped by the Department for Education.
The plan was drafted jointly with schools, parents and carers, health and care professionals and with the voices of children at the heart. It maps out how the council will work with partners and communities to provide a long-term sustainable future for SEND.
The agreement will mean providing an additional 500 special school places to ensure children stay closer to home in Wiltshire, as well as investment in more resource bases which provide SEND support in mainstream schools. It will also fund new teams to provide early support for children and young people with SEND, and their families.
Wiltshire Council submitted the plan as part of the government Safety Valve programme. Safety Valve is a Department for Education (DfE) programme that works with councils who have very high overspends in their High Needs Block budget. The High Needs Block supports children with Special Educational Needs (SEND). Since 2018/19 the High Needs Block has been under increasing pressure across councils in England.
It is central government’s responsibility to fund education through the Dedicated Schools Grant and the High Needs Block is part of that funding. Safety Valve also offers the opportunity to gain much needed investment which the council believes will help improve outcomes for SEND pupils and address the overspend.
The agreed plan focuses on activity required for financial recovery but is also ensuring the quality of provision for learners with SEND and focussing on early support and prevention wherever possible.
Cllr Laura Mayes, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “We have a clear way forward to do three things; secure long-term investment in SEND in Wiltshire, address the overspend issues in a managed way and create a long-term sustainable future. This approach is aligned with our Business Plan to help us create resilient communities where people are empowered.”
Cllr Jane Davies, Cabinet Member for SEND, said: “I am pleased the DfE has recognised and approved our plan. It was co-designed with schools, parents and carers, health and care professionals and most importantly with children.
“We know the next few years will be challenging as we work together on a new approach to SEND and it is important, we continue to work together so we can action our plan and provide sustainable SEND support and opportunities for every child to thrive.”
Stuart Hall, Strategic Director of the Wiltshire Parent Carer Council, said: “Parent carers were key to informing Wiltshire’s plan as part of the Safety Valve programme; their voice informed the priorities that will be a key focus as the plan delivers important actions over the next five years.
“This agreement should help to put an essential focus on meeting need at the right time, increasing the range and capacity of provision, and improve the experience of children and young people with SEND in Wiltshire and their families.
“As a partner in the programme, the WPCC will continue to champion for ongoing opportunities for parent carers, children and young people to be involved as the plan is delivered.”
