WIREDGOV

Cllr Richard Watts, Chair of the Local Government Association's Children and Young People Board, responds to the Department for Education (DfE) announcement that councils will receive £215 million additional funding to provide support to thousands of children with special educational needs and disabilities.

"This new money is a step in the right direction a time when the demand for support from parents and families with SEND is rising. The original SEND reform programme was significantly underfunded by the DfE and we're pleased that the Government has listened to our concerns.

"However, it's unclear how this one-off payment links with the DfE's proposed changes to high-needs funding. This will reduce council and school flexibility to make additional funding available where there are rising demands for SEND support."

Related information:  New funding boost for pupils with SEND