Jan 28, 2025, Nottinghamshire Ct Council: ‘More work to do’ on special educational needs provision in Nottinghamshire, as a senior Cabinet Member makes clear that this work is ‘a huge priority’
E. Midlands
Nottinghamshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and SEND, Councillor Ben Bradley, made his comments in response to a petition to the council asking for improvements to be made.
Councillor Bradley said: “We absolutely recognise the issue and sympathise with young people and families. We know that there are huge challenges in the SEND system.. . .
The responsibility for delivery of SEND services and provision across Nottinghamshire is shared by the local area partnership of the county council, the NHS Integrated Care Board, NHS healthcare providers and education settings.
In the past two years, a local independently chaired SEND Improvement Board has been set up to oversee the partnership’s improvement plans.
In addition, regular scrutiny comes from the Department for Education, NHS England, Ofsted and CQC.
Councillor Bradley continued: “The board’s independent chair and the external bodies have recognised that Nottinghamshire has shown some real commitment to this, and has made progress since the 2023 inspection.
“This is encouraging but it is work in progress.
“In terms of local funding for SEND services and provision, significant investment has been made to increase capacity and resource.
“Nottinghamshire’s spending on SEND services and provision in education settings has increased by almost 50 per cent since 2021 to £133m [$165M], with a further £11m [$14M] coming in the next financial year. So it’s been a real priority for us.’’
The county council has also invested more than £3m [$3.7M] to improve its SEND services, including Education Psychology Service and Integrated Children’s Disability Services.
Since 2021, an additional £46.5m [$58M] investment will create almost 500 new special school places. . . .
However, there has been a continued increase in demand locally and nationally meaning that the vast majority of local authorities are currently not meeting the statutory 20-week timeframe.
Comments