Dec 18, 2024, Bristol Post: Date set for high court battle over controversial special needs bailout in Bristol
The date has been set for a high court battle over a controversial bailout of special needs education in Bristol. At the end of next month, a legal fight will culminate in the courtroom over whether parents should have been consulted about the potential effects on their children.
Earlier this year Bristol City Council secretly entered into a deal with the Department for Education, to receive millions of pounds to write off part of the ballooning deficit in its school budget. Parents previously warned this could lead to less support for pupils with special needs.
The Safety Valve bailout deal will now be subject to a judicial review. The case, brought by Watkins Solicitors, will be heard at Bristol High Court from January 28 to 30.
A spokesperson for the Bristol-based law firm said: “Watkins Solicitors is arguing that the agreement risks creating further barriers to accessing essential SEN [special educational needs] support, such as education, health and care plans. For many years, Watkins Solicitors has been a leading advocate for children and families navigating the SEN system. . . .
The council was asked to comment. As well as Bristol, the case also involves a similar challenge to a Safety Valve bailout deal for Devon County Council. Over 30 councils across the country have entered into Safety Valve deals with the Department for Education so far.
Ballooning deficits in schools budgets is a growing and widespread problem, as the demand for special educational needs support is rapidly rising, while government funding hasn’t kept pace. Councils are legally required to provide support for these pupils, but often struggle to afford it.
When the council entered into the deal, a row broke out over who was to blame for the secrecy. Former Labour mayor Marvin Rees insisted the Department for Education told the council the deal had to be kept secret until it was signed, but sources at the department later denied this.
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